Georgian PM: 9% economic growth in Jan-June “best in wider region, throughout Europe”

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Thursday said the country could improve last year's economic growth rate based on the nine percent growth in the first six months of this year, calling it “the best indicator not only in the wider region, but also throughout Europe”.

One of our main tasks is to maintain a steady pace of economic growth. Economic growth means the development of the country in all directions, the improvement of the social condition of the population, and one of the main tasks of our activities in the coming months will be to maintain a high rate of economic growth”, he said.

Everything indicates that we can improve last year's rate of economic growth this year. Everything should be done for this”, the PM added.

The National Statistics Office on Wednesday said the domestic economy grew by 7.5 percent year-on-year in June, while the average real gross domestic product growth for the first six months equalled nine percent.

• Georgian economy grew 9% in January-June, says Statistics Office

Last month’s growth was mainly driven by estimated real growth in financial and insurance sector, construction, information and communication, transportation and storage, professional, scientific and technical areas, the Office noted.

On the other hand, declines were registered in manufacturing.