The first quarter of 2019 produced some interesting figures in Georgia’s external trade. In this period, external trade was recorded with a total of 121 countries. The data analysis shows that in the first quarter of 2019, compared with the corresponding period of the previous year, Georgia’s export has increased while the country’s import decreased. The analysis of Georgian trade based on import origin and export destination countries reveals that the volume of export has increased the most to Russia while the biggest decrease in imports was recorded with France.

In Georgia, the average cost of a room in a 3-star hotel was 123 GEL per night in April 2019. While the average cost of a room in a 4-star hotel in Georgia was 215 GEL per night and the average cost of a room in a guesthouse was 70 GEL per night. The average cost of a room in a 5-star hotel in Georgia in April 2019 was 484 GEL per night. In Tbilisi, the average price was 525 GEL, followed by Adjara – 473 GEL, Samtskhe-Javakheti - 368 GEL, and Kakheti - 367 GEL. In April 2019, in Georgia the hotel price index increased by 2.2% compared to March 2019. The 3-star, 4-star and 5-star hotel price index increased by 0.5%, while for guesthouses, the price index increased by 5%. In April 2019, compared to April 2018, the hotel prices in Georgia decreased by 1.8%. This was mainly due to price decreases of 3*, 4* and 5* hotels. In Georgia in April 2019, compared to April 2018, the prices of 3*, 4* and 5* hotels decreased by 2.9%, while the prices of guesthouses increased by 1.9%.

In April 2019, compared to April 2018, the number of international travelers trips in Georgia increased by 4.6%, and among the international travelers, the proportion who stayed in Georgia for 24 hours or more (classified as tourists) increased by 4.2%, however the hotel prices in Georgia decreased by 1.8%, among them the prices of 3*, 4* and 5* hotels decreased by 2.9%, while the prices of guesthouses increased by 1.9%. In April 2019, in Georgia the hotel price index increased by 2.2% compared to March 2019. The 3-star, 4-star and 5-star hotel price index increased by 0.5%, while for guesthouses, the price index increased by 5%. It has to be noted that In April 2019, compared to March 2019, the number of international travelers trips in Georgia increased by 4.6%, while among the international travelers, the proportion who stayed in Georgia for 24 hours or more (classified as tourists) increased by 6.1%. In Georgia, in the first quarter of 2019, the expenditure spent by international travelers on accomodation amounted USD 101.8 mln, while the average expenditure per visit - 228.9 GEL. These are accordingly 1.5% and 2.6% lower compared to the first quarter of 2018. According to Airbnb, In April 2019, among the Black Sea Countries the lowest price for an apartment was recorded in the capital of Bulgaria, Sofia – 40 USD, while the highest price was recorded in Moscow – 100 USD.

In the second quarter of 2019, Georgian economic climate has slightly improved. In this period, Georgian economists assessed Georgia’s present economic situation positively, However, the assessment of pres- ent economic situation in this quarter has deteriorated compared to the first quarter of 2019 and the second quarter of 2018. In the second quarter of 2019, Georgia’s economic situation in the next six months has also been assessed positively by Georgian economists. In this quarter, expectations in six months has slightly improved compared to the first quarter of 2019; Not- withstanding, the expectations in six months of Q2 2019 has deteriorated compared with the Q2 2018.

In March 2019, in Georgia the hotel price index increased by 5.1% compared to February 2019. The prices of hotels in Tbilisi increased by 4.2%. In March 2019, compared to February 2019, the increase of hotel prices in Georgia, can be linked to increased number of tourists trips, as the number of international travelers trips in Georgia increased by 31.9%, while among the international travelers, the proportion who stayed in Georgia for 24 hours or more (classified as tourists) increased by 32.6%. In March 2019, compared to March 2018, in Georgia the hotel price index increased by 1.1%. The number of international travelers in March 2019, compared to March 2018, increased by 6.4%, while among the international travelers the proportion who stayed in Georgia for 24 hours or more (classified as tourists) increased by 4.3%. It has to be noted that 2018 was the first year, when share of nights spent by the international travelers in hotels exceeded the share of nights spent in friends and relatives house. In Georgia, in 2018, by international travelers, the highest share of nights were spent in hotels - 39.6%, 26.5% of nights were spent in friends and relatives house, while in guesthouses - 12.7% and in apartment - 11.7%. In Tbilisi, among the 3-star hotels registered on booking.com website the highest share of prices ranges between 50-150 GEL, for 4-star hotels 150-300 GEL, while for guesthouses - 0-150 GEL  

Analysis of FDI into Georgia for 2014-2018 revealed the following general findings: In 2018, the financial, transport and communications, and energy sectors attracted the most FDI; In 2018, Azerbaijan, the United Kingdom, and the Netherlands were the countries investing most in Georgia; Based on the cumulative amounts of FDI for the past five years, transport and communications (28.4%) is the most attractive sector for FDI in Georgia, while the agricultural sector is the least attractive (0.8%); Based on the cumulative amounts, countries investing most in Georgia are: Azerbaijan, Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Turkey and USA. The shares of FDI from China and the EU in the total FDI into Georgia have been increasing since 2017; During 2017-2018, the share of reinvestments in the total FDI into Georgia increased, while the shares of equity and debt instruments decreased.

Human capital development is increasingly seen as the biggest driver of economic growth and the most powerful tool in the fi ght against poverty (World Bank, 2018). This idea is embodied in the World Bank’s new initiative - Human Capital Project, which is designed to stimulate more and better investment in human capital. As one of early adopter countries, Georgia is collaborating with the World Bank to build an evidencedriven strategy for accelerating progress in human capital outcomes.

Human capital development is increasingly seen as the biggest driver of economic growth and the most powerful tool in the fight against poverty (World Bank, 2018). This idea is embodied in the World Bank’s new…

In February 2019, in Georgia the hotel price index decreased by 1.7% compared to January 2019. In Tbilisi, the hotel prices decreased by 1.9%. The decrease of hotel prices in Georgia, can be linked to decreased number of tourists' trips. In February 2019, compared to January 2019, the number of international travelers trips in Georgia decreased by 11.2%, while among the international travelers, the proportion who stayed in Georgia for 24 hours or more (classified as tourists) decreased by 19%.The number of international travelers visiting Georgia in February 2019, compared to February 2018, decreased by 0.4%. However,  of these international travelers, the proportion who stayed in Georgia for 24 hours or more (classified as tourists) increased by 5.1%.  This was expected to have a positive effect on hotel price increases, however in February 2019, compared to February 2018, in Georgia the hotel price index decreased insignificantly by 0.4%. This was mainly due to price decreases of guesthouses.  While, the 3-star, 4-star and 5-star hotel price index increased by 2.2%, for guesthouses, the price index decreased by 2.9%.It's worth to be mentioned that the revenue from international travelers amounted 3.2 billion USD in 2018. According to countries, the most revenue from international travelers was received from Russia - 26.3% (USD 842 mln), followed by Turkey - 13.7% (USD 437 mln), and EU countries - 12.3% (USD 394 mln).  In 2018, compared to 2017, the shares of revenues from internationals travelers from Turkey, Ukraine, Armenia and Iran decreased, while shares of Russia, EU countries and Iran increased.  

In this bulletin, we discuss exchange rate dynamics in the countries of the Black Sea region during the period of 2014-2018. In particular, the exchange rates of these countries’ currencies against the USD and EUR…