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Natural gas to become more expensive for Tbilisi's commercial sector

Oil&Gas Materials 11 December 2020 21:42 (UTC +04:00)
Natural gas to become more expensive for Tbilisi's commercial sector

BAKU, Azerbaijan, Dec.11

By Tamilla Mammadova – Trend:

From January 3, 2021, natural gas will become more expensive for Tbilisi's commercial sector, except for bread enterprises, Trend reports via Georgian media.

In all other cases, if today companies pay 86 tetri (26.27 cents) per cubic meter of gas, from next year they will have to pay 24 tetri (7.33 cents) more - the tariff will reach 1 lari (31 cents) and 10 tetri (3.05 cents).

Businesses are already talking about possible price increases for products and services. Representatives of the restaurant business, who have repeatedly appealed to the government, have called for a reduction in utility bills, in response to which they have received a 24-tetri increase in natural gas taxes from next year, but gas was already relatively expensive for restaurants.

"Gas was a source of alternative energy for restaurants because the kitchens either use electricity or gas. The second important issue is heating. Now we are closed, and we will save money in this part, but the restaurants are still working on delivery services. Consequently, we need natural gas. Increasing the gas tariff reduced the alternative of saving a small amount of money. This is directly linked to price increases. If a user bought something, let's say, for 1 lari, depending on the tariff, they will now pay 1 lari and 5 tetri (1.53), 1 and 7 tetri (2.14 cents)," said restaurateur Vakhtang Kandelaki.

Meanwhile, seven business associations operating in Georgia today stated the increase of gas tariffs. Business associations responded to the decision of Tbilisi Energy, according to which the commercial gas tariff was increased by 0.24 lari (7.33 cents).

According to business associations, such a decision is incomprehensible, especially now, during a severe pandemic and the economic crisis.

Business associations are requesting a meeting with the management of Tbilisi Energy and discussing this issue. Businesses also call on the government to get involved in regulating the process.

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