Azernews.Az

By Sabina Idayatova

Georgian Finance Minister Nodar Khaduri expects an investment of more than $2 billion in his country's economy this year.

Speaking at a news conference on Tuesday in the framework of the Georgian Government for Open Governance Khaduri expressed his confidence that the investments will be doubled as compared to the previous year and reach $2 billion.

"While talking about these figures I contemplate the investors who have already confirmed their willingness to invest in Georgia. Along with this, the funds and the distribution of the allocated funds will be very important. We will see a very interesting process," Khaduri said.

According to Khaduri, active meetings have been held with investors, in particular with major companies such as Tata group, Dhabi Group and others.

On this basis, the Georgian government has quite optimistic expectations for involvement of the investments, Khaduri added.

According to Khaduri, Georgia has no state budget deficit.

"The budget revenues on taxes in January and February were overfulfilled," he added. "In particular, during this period tax revenues amounted to 870.1 million lari ($ 1 = 1.66 lari), or more by 22.1 million lari compared to the same period of the last year. In February, the budget revenue was 408.3 million lari, which is up by 12 million lari as compared to the same period of the last year.

Khaduri said that tax revenue amounted to 844 million lari in January to February, which was by 19.3 million lari more than the same period of the last year. The tax revenues of the state budget amounted to 395 million lari in February, 2013, which is by 10.9 million lari more than last year.

"The process, which began in the Georgian economy after the new year, is positive. I am very much hopeful that a prognosis on 6-percent economic growth publicized at the beginning of the year would not be pessimistic," Khaduri said.

Recall that the Georgian government has launched a new project Georgian Government for Open Governance to ensure greater involvement of society in governance of state, so that the government's work becomes more transparent and open, and its accountability before citizens acquires a traditional nature. The project envisions online meetings with both local and foreign media. These meetings will be held twice a week.