In September 2018, the Georgian Consumer Confidence Index decreased marginally by 1 index point compared to August 2018 (from -14.2 to -15.2). Negative dynamics can be observed for the second consecutive month; however, in September, a negative change was observed, caused by a drop in the Expectations Index of 4.4 index points (from -8.7 to -13.1), while in the previous month the decrease was caused by a deterioration in the Present Situation Index, which now seems to have recovered slightly by 2.5 index points, again compared to August, from -19.8 to -17.3.

This article continues the theme of ISET Economist blog “Decriminalize Marijuana?” written by my colleague Saba Devdariani in June 2015, where he described the philosophical aspects related to marijuana state regulations and medical consequences of its consumption.

This Thursday, October 11, Davit Lezhava, Public Policy Sector Director of the Policy and Management Consulting Group (PMCG), awarded need-based scholarships to three second-year MA students – Giga Gotsiridze, Ia Tchankvetadze, and Nino Shoshiashvili.

On October 2, 2018, Georgian Water and Power (GWP) opened a new hydropower dam in Bodorna (Dusheti region). The construction of the new dam started in December 2017, with the support of the Entrepreneurial Development Bank (FMO) and the German Investment and Development Bank (DEG), for a total investment of 10 million GEL.

On Monday, October 8, during his visit to Georgia, ISET hosted Dr. David Tsirekidze, the Principal Consultant at Edgeworth Economics (Washington, DC), Ph.D. in Economics from Stanford University, and an ISET graduate of 2011. He gave a presentation entitled “Success and Motivation”.