The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development has raised its economic growth forecast for Georgia, announcing it is expecting the Georgian economy to grow by 8% this year, “significantly higher” than the previously predicted 3% growth.
For next year, the bank’s report Regional Economic Prospect expects this trend to moderate further to 5%, in line with the previous forecast.
Published on September 28, the report reads that the Georgian, Azerbaijani and Armenian economies “are enjoying some of their highest growth rates in years”.
“In Georgia, robust growth of 10.3% is supported by a pickup in tourism, which has almost reached pre-pandemic levels, and by an increase in money transfers (boosted by the temporary inflow of Russian businesses and technology-sector professionals). These trends have helped to cover Georgia’s trade deficit and supported the appreciation of the lari, leading to an increase in foreign reserves”, the report notes.
The EBRD said high energy prices were expected to support Azerbaijan’s economic growth in the near term.
“The May forecast of GDP growth of 4.5% for 2022 and moderation to 2.5% in 2023 remains unchanged”, reads the report.
Meanwhile in Armenia, the report forecasts robust growth of 8% in 2022, up from a previous estimate of 4.5%.
“The slowdown is expected to be less gentle, with a drop to 4% likely in 2023. However, the latest growth estimate for 2023 remains above the earlier projection of 2.5%”, the report reads.
The EBRD said Azerbaijan was capitalising on high oil and gas revenues as a result of elevated prices and increased export revenues – but also on the strong performance of its non-energy sector – while Armenia and Georgia were benefiting from an inflow of Russian businesses and information and communication technology professionals boosting the service sectors of their small economies. (Agenda/Business World Magazine)