VZCZCXRO9841
OO RUEHDBU RUEHFL RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHNP RUEHROV RUEHSR
DE RUEHSI #0356/01 0541320
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
O 231320Z FEB 09
FM AMEMBASSY TBILISI
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 1020
INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 TBILISI 000356 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/25/2018 
TAGS: ECON EFIN PRIL PGOV GG
SUBJECT: GEORGIA: BUDGET OUTLOOK GRIM 
 
REF: TBILISI 292 
 
Classified By: CHARGE D'AFFAIRES A.I. KENT LOGSDON FOR REASONS 1.4 (b) 
AND (d) 
 
¶1.  (C)  Summary:  Georgia faces a grim budgetary picture in 
2009, according to Deputy Minister of Finance Dimitri 
Gvindadze.  In a meeting with USAID Mission Director and 
Econoff, Gvindadze inquired about the possibility of 
additional direct budget support, a long-term currency swap, 
and possible OPIC assistance in aiding Georgia to issue its 
own country risk insurance.  Gvindadze indicated revenues are 
down and while projections about future revenue streams are 
almost impossible to make, all indications are that the 
Ministry of Finance will have to adjust its 2009 revenue 
estimates downward.  The 2009 budget was cut substantially as 
compared to the 2008 budget, and Gvindadze is pessimistic 
that further cuts to the spending side of the budget are 
politically realistic.  In short, Gvindadze foresees Georgia 
facing a larger budget deficit than expected.  End Summary. 
 
Revenues Down - Budget Deficit Looms and Cuts Difficult 
 
¶2.  (C)  Gvindadze said tax revenues had been down in January 
compared to 2008.  The drop was somewhat expected due to the 
significantly changed economic environment, however; receipts 
were less than the GOG had hoped.  Gvindadze said because 
they are in such uncharted territory (investment fallout from 
the August invasion and the global credit crunch) it was 
extremely difficult to project this year's revenue flows with 
any certainty.  Gvindadze said current revenue estimates 
amount to "wandering in the dark," but noted that all signs 
look negative.  He acknowledged that January receipts are 
always low, but he was not optimistic that near term receipts 
would show any improvement.  Gvindadze said tax and customs 
revenues are down and remittances (mainly from Russia) are at 
about 60 percent of the 2008 level.  The World Bank October 
joint needs assessment predicted a USD 453 million budget 
deficit which Gvindadze thinks is probably too low given his 
current view that Georgia will likely not see any positive 
GDP growth in 2009.  Finally, Gvindadze noted that there is 
little left in the budget which can be cut.  Both the 
Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Ministry of Defense saw 
significant budget reductions.  The political reality is that 
the GOG cannot afford to cut already modest pension and 
social payments. 
 
Budget Support - Currency Swap - Country Risk Insurance 
Requested 
 
¶3.  (C)  Gvindadze reiterated the GOG position that direct 
budget support is the best, most effective type of 
assistance.  The GOG will receive USD 40 million from the 
World Bank an Asian Development Bank respectively, and USD 
2.5 million from the Dutch in direct budget support.  The EC 
is planning on giving the GOG 50.7 million euro (USD 64.7 
million) for IDP support (Embassy Note:  This agreement is 
not yet signed.  End Note.) and 46 million euro (USD 58.7 
million) of debt service relief.  Despite the aid, the GOG 
will still have to borrow to make its budget payments. 
Gvindadze told Econoff that because of the global credit 
crisis, the demand for IMF, World Bank and other 
multi-lateral financial institution support has grown 
tremendously.  Former central and eastern European countries 
that were previously considered well past the need for IMF 
type assistance are back in line, making it more difficult to 
receive financial assistance. 
 
¶4.  (C)  Gvindadze told us that Georgia is not facing 
currency pressures.  Nevertheless, Gvindadze is interested in 
a currency swap arrangement.  In the Georgian Government's 
view, a currency swap could reduce investor anxiety about 
Qview, a currency swap could reduce investor anxiety about 
currency risk as well as provide further confidence in the 
banking sector which holds many of its debt obligations in 
dollars.  (Embassy note:  NBG currency reserves have dropped 
from USD 1.48 billion on January 1, 2009 to USD 1.27 billion 
current which indicates the GOG is strongly defending the 
Lari.  In spite of Gvindadze's claims, it appears Georgia is 
facing substantial currency pressure and will be forced to 
devalue again if current trends continue.  After discussion 
with post's Treasury advisor, we have counseled the Georgians 
that it is unlikely that the U.S. would agree to engage in 
such a currency swap.  End Note).  Along the same lines, the 
GOG is exploring the idea of providing political risk 
insurance to investors.  As such, PM Gilauri approached us to 
inquire what types of assistance OPIC can provide (reftel). 
In both cases, the requests would serve to bolster investor 
confidence and from the GOG's perspective, start to bring 
back the flow of FDI which was so vital to Georgia's recent 
rapid growth and has slowed to a trickle. 
 
Embassy Comment 
 
 
TBILISI 00000356  002 OF 002 
 
 
¶5.  (C)  Gvindadze openly noted the differing public and 
private faces of the discussion of the Georgian economy.  The 
GOG is putting on an optimistic public face, but privately 
are expressing their concern about the drop in tax returns 
and general fiscal health of the Georgian economy.  Clearly, 
Gvindadze and other GOG interlocutors will accentuate the 
negatives when asking for assistance.  Nevertheless, we agree 
that the GOG is facing a budget deficit with few areas left 
untouched in which to cut.  Additionally, in an economy in 
need of stimulus, spending cuts are unwise especially against 
the backdrop of a substantial drop in FDI.  As Gvindadze 
says, any reliable projections for the Georgian economy are 
difficult, but any GDP growth for 2009 would be a positive 
development.  By all accounts, the Georgian economy and 
budget will face a very difficult 2009.  End Comment. 
LOGSDON