In today’s government meeting, the prime minister of Georgia, Irakli Garibashvili, announced a reshuffle in the ministry of agriculture and economy.
The minister of Environment Protection and Agriculture of Georgia Levan Davitashvili has replaced the Economy minister Natela Turnava.
Natela Turnava said that the step marked “new initiative and challenges” for her. Furthermore, she stated that she would like to look and test herself in the new field.
The outgoing minister also expressed her confidence in the new economy minister Levan Davitashvili. Moreover, she also said that according to Davitashvili’s experience and professionalism, he will be able to manage all things at a very high level and will be one of the successful ministers of the economy.
Furthermore, PM Irakli Garibashvili commented that the deputy agriculture minister of Georgia Otar Shamugia would take Davitashvili’s position and credited the promoted official for his “16 years of experience and excellence in the ministry”.
Moreover, Natela Turnava had been the Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development in Georgia since 18 April 2019, while Levan Davitashvili had led the agriculture ministry since 2016. Turanava was graduated from TSU in 1990 as an economist.
According to worldbank.org reports, the economy of Georgia grew faster than expected in 2021, with output expanding by 12.0 per cent (y-o-y) during January-August, as COVID-related restrictions were eased. Rising mobility, trade volumes, tax collection, credit growth, and tourism revenues accelerated the economy and helped to return the GDP to pre-COVID levels.
However, the labour market has been slow to recover. The unemployment rate in Georgia remained high at 22.0 per cent in the first half of 2021 as compared to 18.3 per cent in the first half of 2020 and 17.3 per cent in 2019.
Last year in December, Turnava has also stated that inflation will return to 3% by the end of 2022 by noting that the current inflation rate is so high due to the pandemic, and it is one of the most important issues the Georgian people currently face.
