MINISTRY OF ECONOMY
AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
OF GEORGIA

In January-May, compared to the previous year, the volume of the export is increased by 29%  (preliminary data).

• In January-May 2017, compared to the previous year, the volume of the export is increased by 28.6% (223 million USD) and equaled to 1 003 million USD while the import is increased by 10.8% (287 million USD) and amounted to 2 941 million USD.
• In May 2017, the export is increased by 25% (43 million USD) while the import is increased by 3.8% (22.9 million USD), which resulted in the improvement of the trade balance by 20.1 million USD.
• In May 2017, the significant increase was recorded in the following largest export groups: medications (611%), copper ores and concentrates (134%), ethyl alcohol (89%) and mineral and fresh water (25%).
• Import increase is recorded in the import of wheat (289%), electricity (129%), calculating machines and their blocks (70%) and oil and oil products (13%).
• Since September 2016, the annual growth of the goods export from Georgia is observed. The highest rate of the growth was recorded in January 2017 (by 45%). In February of the same year, the export was increased by 13%, in March – by 36.4% and by 22.9% in April. The export growth, along with the basic effect, was facilitated by the improved conditions at export markets.
• Improvement of the external factors had a positive impact on all other directions, including:

o    In January-May of 2017, the number of visitors to Georgia is increased by 10%, while tourism revenues are increased by 21.5% (146 million USD);
o    In January-April of 2017, the volume of money transfers to the country is increased by 19.3% (64 million USD).

The Government of Georgia is actively working on providing the export diversification opportunities. Successfully completed and ongoing negotiations on the Free Trade Agreements will allow Georgian products to enter more foreign markets, which will result in additional opportunities for exports, significantly reduce negative impacts from foreign trade and promote economic growth.