2020-08-13
Today's Government meeting at the Administration of the Government was held under the chairmanship of Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia. The Cabinet discussed 10 issues on its meeting agenda.
Given the scale of the disaster in Racha, it seems that the full restoration of capital infrastructure will take some time - approximately until the spring of 2021. Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia made this statement during today's session of the government.
The government will allocate up to 45 million GEL for disaster cleanup in Racha.
Essential on-site works were completed ahead of schedule.
"Unfortunately, the natural disaster in Racha was somewhat large-scale and severe. Disaster cleanup and rehabilitation works are underway. Fortunately, essential works were completed faster than expected, which means that traffic to the villages that were cut off from the outside world was restored fairly quickly. Also, as of today, all the villages are being supplied with water, as well as electricity. However, capital construction and restoration works are underway and today, we must discuss the allocation of additional funds for these capital construction works, especially in terms of road works," the Prime Minister noted.
In addition, according to the decision of the Government of Georgia, subsidies will be provided for the purchase of nonstandard apples to ensure, as the head of the government stated, that not a single gram of the farmers' produce is left unutilized.
The amount of the subsidy is set at 10 tetris, as a result of which the price of nonstandard apples will amount to no less than 22 tetris for farmers.
"We have been providing sectoral assistance to various fields during the economic crisis, and we are paying special attention to agriculture. The main goal is for not a single gram of our farmers' produce to be left unutilized. This was the motive behind the assistance provided to winegrowers. The government is subsidizing the purchase of grapes this year and our next step will be to utilize the apple harvest. The price of apples has dropped significantly on international markets, which is why we must make a decision to subsidize the purchase of nonstandard apples by 10 tetris, as per the recommendation of the Ministry of Agriculture.
Ultimately, the price for farmers will be no less than 22 tetris. All companies involved in the Procurement Headquarters, which will be set up specifically to ensure the utilization of the apple harvest, will receive this subsidy in the amount of 10 additional tetris. This is very important for the region; therefore, we have to work in an appropriate and effective manner. This program will continue until December 2020," Giorgi Gakharia stated.
Furthermore, during today's session of the government, the Prime Minister instructed the Ministry of Finance to defer the customs clearance period for cars until March 2021.
This concerns benefits of more than 30 million GEL, which will apply to 24,000 car owners.
According to the head of the government, car importers have appealed to the government with regard to this issue on several occasions, and the government has already taken this step on one occasion.
"It seems that the impact of this crisis - not only on Georgia but also globally - will be long-term, and this is a fact. Car importers have already appealed to us on several occasions with regard to customs clearance. We have already taken this step on one occasion and deferred it. In the interest of the fiscal year, it would probably be preferable for us to defer the payment of customs fees once again, until March 2021," Giorgi Gakharia stated.
As the Prime Minister pointed out, customs clearance deferment means that fines will not be imposed as well.
"This will apply to approximately 24,000 car owners and this amounts to more than 30 million in tax deferral benefits. This is necessary in order for us to help our car importers avoid these necessary daily expenses, especially during the crisis period," Giorgi Gakharia stated.
Press Service of the Government Administration