The Environmental Protection and Natural Resources Committee, and the Regional Policy and Self-Government Committee, at the joint sitting, deliberated on the Draft State Budget 2026, introduced by the First Deputy Finance Minister, Giorgi Kakauridze.

According to the reporter, the Budget is planned by a conservative approach and envisages the macroeconomic parameters as follows:

---Real economic growth- 5%, in the average term - 5,3%;
---GDP deflator forecast - 4%, the budget deficit- 2,5%;
---Nominal GDP forecast - 110,5 bl. GEL, and GDP per capita - exceeding 10,900 USD;
---The mixed budget tax revenues - 26,8 bl. GEL - 24,2% of GDP; and the state debt - 35% of GDP.

“The expenditures part of the mixed budget 2026, within the aforementioned parameters, shall in sum constitute 35,5 bl. GEL, allowing the authorities to fully refund the state debts”, - he elucidated.

Kakauridze reviewed the healthcare, infrastructure, education, environmental protection and defense programs and the budget allocations. As per the reporter, the introduced Draft Budget is an initial version and the Ministry is committed to, taking the remarks into account, submitting a final version to the Parliament by the end of the year.

The reporter answered the questions about the municipal projects, geology and environmental protection directions, phytosanitary and agricultural programs, as well as the solid waste management and landfill arrangement. MPs also inquired about the disaster liquidation assets, the coastal protection remedies and pet programs.

After the deliberation of the Draft Budget, Committee members, taking remarks into account, approved the document. Kakauridze also introduced the 6-month implementation of the state budget 2025, which the Committees took note of.