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Country facts
| Capital city: |
Tbilisi |
| Surface area: |
69,700 sq km |
| Population: |
4.7 million |
| Official language(s): |
Georgian, Abkhazian and Ajaria
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| Head of State: |
President Mikhail Saakashvili |
| Head of Government: |
Prime Minister Lado Gurgenidze
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| Australian exports to Georgia: |
A$4.1 million |
| Australian imports from Georgia: |
A$4.1 million |
| Georgia's principal export destinations: |
Turkey, Russia
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| Georgia's principal import sources: |
Turkey, Russia
| (Source: Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade - Country brief) |
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Economic climate
Georgia mainly relies on Black Sea tourism; cultivation of citrus fruits, tea, and grapes; mining of manganese and copper; and the output of a small industrial sector producing wine, metals, machinery, chemicals and textiles.
Georgia's largest trading partner is Turkey, but Russia is still critically important for Georgia's energy needs (natural gas and oil).
According to The World Bank’s ‘Doing Business 2008’ report, Georgia is regarded as one of the world’s top economic reformers in terms of making it easier to do business. However, the government has implemented only the simpler parts of its reform agenda and Georgia still needs to focus on attracting more foreign investment to develop its manufacturing sector and diversify its export base.
Key economic indicators and statistics for 2007:
- GDP – US$7,744
- GPD per capita – US$1,760
- Real GDP growth – 9.4 per cent
- Inflation – 8.8 per cent
(Source: Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade - Country brief) |
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Political climate
Georgia declared independence on 9 April 1991, shortly before the collapse of the Soviet Union. The Georgian political system is a presidential republic.
The Parliament consists of a unicameral Republican Council with 235 seats. Members are elected by popular vote for a four-year term. The last parliamentary election was held in 2004, following the 2003 ‘Rose Revolution’, and resulted in an overall majority for the National Movement–Democratic bloc.
(Source: Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade - Country brief)
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Trade relations and statistics
Australia's trade and investment relationship with Georgia is modest. In 2006-2007, total two-way trade was worth A$8.2 million. Australian exports were worth A$4.1 million, down from A$7.5 million in the previous financial year. Imports from Georgia were also worth around A$4.1 million. Butter accounted for about half of Australia’s exports to Georgia, while goods vehicles made up the bulk of imports.
(Source: Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade - Country brief) |
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