Georgia's Economic Outlook 2020

GOVERNMENT'S ANTI-CRISIS STIMULUS PLAN The Government announced a series of support measures designed to mitigate the negative economic impact of COVID-19. The anti-crisis plan was presented by the Prime Minister of Georgia on 24 April 2020 and includes a social assistance package for individuals, as well as tax exemptions and various funding mechanisms for businesses. A total of GEL 3.5 billion (7% of GDP) will be allocated for implementing the economic stimulus plan, of which GEL 1.035 billion will be used to support citizens, GEL 2.11 billion to support businesses, and GEL 350 million will be spent to enhance the country's healthcare system. The stimulus plan may be further expanded and the 2020 revised Government budget document, which will be available in May 2020, will detail the full picture of measures. SUPPORT TO BUSINESSES - Tourism sector companies will fully be exempted from property tax payments in 2020 (resulting in savings of GEL 45 million), while personal income tax payments for this sector companies will be postponed until the end of 2020 (around GEL 90 million) GEL 60 million has been allocated to subsidise bank loan interest payments for hotels, which will affect around 3,000 hotels operating in hospitality industry. GEL 5 million will be allocated to support travel agencies and tourist guide. operators Hotels offered to turn into quarantine zones at a specified rate reimbursed by the Government Customs clearance for car importers postponed for 90 days until 1 Sep 2020; Around 38,000 importers affected, resulting in savings of GEL 50 million For all infrastructure projects, the State has insured against an increase in the price of construction materials totalling c.GEL 200 million With the support of local banks, legal entities were given the opportunity of loan restructuring; 7,000 legal entities have already benefited VAT refunds to double to around GEL 1.2 billion from initially planned GEL 600 million Government subsidised prices of nine food products rice, buckwheat, pasta, oil, flour, wheat, milk powder, sugar and beans; Agreement concluded with large importers, allocating GEL 15 million for the measure Support to agriculture development (grants, bank loans and irrigation systems) GEL 600 million long-term local-currency resource to be provided to commercial banks GEL 500 million will be allocated for supporting businesses, through: - % 5 LINOW GEL 300 million credit guarantee scheme GEL 2 billion loan portfolio coverage, with 90% guarantee cover on new loans and 30% on restructured loans Co-financing scheme under the State programme "Produce in Georgia" - loan/lease co-financing period increase from 24 to 36 months; interest rate co-financing mechanism change; increase the coverage of the programme; lower minimum loan/lease limit; increase working capital funding

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