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Georgia may increase charges for extraction of natural resources

Business Materials 2 November 2012 21:26 (UTC +04:00)

Georgia, Tbilisi, November 2 /Trend N.Kirtzkhalia /

Charges for the extraction of natural resources in Georgia may be revised, the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development of the country said on Friday.

Changes in the rate of charges, in case of their introduction will affect such resources as gold, copper, manganese, mineral water and forestry.

According to the law on fees for the use of natural resources, the fee for the extraction of one gram of gold is 0.9 lari ($ 1 = 1.66 lari), copper - 136 lari per ton (this rate in 2007 was 90 lari per ton); permanganic ore - 0,012 lari per ton (one percent composition), mineral water - three lari per cubic meter.

According to Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia Giorgi Kvirikashvili frequent use of natural resources is implemented through irrational methods, and therefore the country doesn't receive the corresponding benefit due to low tariffs.

"We plan to explore the commitments made by investors in all the above areas, with the highest possible regard to the interests of both the state and business, and we can not rule out that the fee for the extraction of natural resources will be substantially revised," the Minister said.

According to Kvirikashvili Georgia still remains true "to all those international agreements and commitments that protect freedom of business and human rights in Georgia."

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