FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 2020 The Messenger P3

“Impartial, Informative, Insightful” GEL 3.00 The #069 (4626) MessengerFRIDAY, APRIL 24, 2020 WWW.MESSENGER.COM.GE Politics #stayhome Stay home, Stay safe #staysafe Is Plaquenil an effective cure for the virus? Protest rally held in Marneuli Two of the infected people revealed that they’ve been violating all recommendations using Plaquenil for their treatment, and the reaction to this statement was mixed.

FULL STORY ON Page 2 Economics Georgian Banks suffer record 747 million in first quarter of 2020 FULL STORY ON Page 3 Culture & Lifestyle David Sarajishvili - Country of Liquid Sun

The recommendations for preventing the spread of the Coronavirus were practically not followed during the rally. Photo: 1tv.ge

FULL STORY ON Page 4 bilized on the spot. event, according to him politics ‘is not Giga Bokeria, European Georgia MP, Even though protesters were chanting happening here.’ “I said from the very first responded to the rally in Marneuli dur- ‘Misha, Misha,’ the local opposition says second, you don’t want someone’s politi- ing the special session of the parliament, BY NATALIA KOCHIASHVILI they had no contact with organizing the cal name. Today, we are interested in the noting that the representatives of his rally, they just knew that local farmers people, the harvest and the income of the party are trying to calm the people. He n Marneuli, where strict quarantine had trouble cultivating the land and sell- people,” he explained. urged supporters and others to refrain Ihas been declared for a month now (as ing the crop and learned about the pro- According to Suleymanov, the path from any action that may violate the rule well as in Bolnisi Municipality), the resi- test from the social network. must be opened and the state isn’t help- of law, even ‘if you have grounds for re- dents of 5 villages gathered in the village Imamkuliev denied any wrongdoing or ing the people, who are working on the sentment against this government.’ He of Shulaveri on 22nd of April blocking the participation in the organizing of the land and have bank responsibilities. also addressed other MP’s and gov’t, say- central highway. Carrier trailers were not ing that when the situation is out of con- allowed to move until the end of the as- trol, when people are locked up for weeks sembly. The rally was mainly attended and are not allowed to provide for the fam- by farmers, demanding the sale of agri- ily, it may become impossible to control. cultural products at appropriate prices, Irakli Kobakhidze, a member of the activity that has been the only source of parliamentary majority, called the events income for Marneuli residents in a quar- in Marneuli purposeful. antine zone. According to him, the representatives Along with the blockade of the road, of the branches of the National Movement the residents also threw products at the held a joint rally in Marneuli and he rally, which were harvested, but due to urged Bokeria, to ‘pick up the phone, call the closed municipality, they are going Imamkuliev and Suleymanov and take bad. the people back home,’ instead of mak- The rally was held in several villages ing general statements in parliament. in parallel. The recommendations were Marneuli Mayor Zaur Dargali and practically not followed, most of the pro- Kvemo Kartli Governor Shota testers did not have any masks or other Rekhviashvili arrived on the spot as well. means of protection against the virus. They believe the rally has a political con- The demonstrators were joined by notation. Ahmed Imamkuliev, the head of the The governor of Kvemo Kartli told re- Marneuli office of the European Georgia, porters today that the Marneuli residents and Azer Suleymanov, the leader of the Giga Bokeria announced at the parliament session: “Representatives have no problems and that they took the Marneuli office of the United National of ‘European Georgia’ are in Marneuli and are trying to calm Movement. Law enforcers were also mo- people down.” CONTINUED ON Page 2 P2 Politics The Messenger FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 2020 Is Plaquenil an effective cure for the virus?

States and Georgia argue about diarrhea, hair loss, neuromus- how effective this drug is, and cular pain and headache. Ex- the media writes about its side perts say it cannot be used for effects. patients with heart diseases and According to The Georgian may be incompatible with other Protocol, this drug is not used medications for diabetics. for treating people who have no On April 12th, Beka symptoms. Patients whose con- Bakhtadze, an intensive care ditions are severe undergo 5-10 physician/resuscitator at Tan- days of treatment which in- ner Hospital and a cardiologist cludes the use of Plaquenil. at Cleveland Clinic, told TV Because different medical so- Pirveli that a study by the Uni- cieties choose different ways to versity of Michigan found that treat COVID-19 and fight the the condition of 30 patients un- virus indirectly, it remains un- der the effect of Plaquenil was clear if the drug is effective or worse than that of the other 30 not. It is used to alleviate the drugs. complications and symptoms Doctors who use the drug for caused by the virus, but it re- treatment spoke to RFE/RL quires reviews and updating in- about the side effects of the drug. terminably. “Obviously, the drug has side “Plaquenil relieves the expul- effects, so it should be used very sion of the virus. This will not carefully and that is why in the hurt anyone. Rheumatologists process of its use, patients are have been prescribing the drug actively monitored,” said Marina for months and years due to Endeladze on March 24th. simple joint pain,” stated Doctors warn the population Controversy surrounding the drug for allegedly curing the virus. Tsertsvadze. that taking the drug unless pre- However, the aforementioned scribed is dangerous. The call BY ANASTASIA SOKHADZE in March that the drug had been for Infectious Diseases, AIDS and drug has side effects. These in- became necessary after a short- prescribed to the first patient Clinical Immunology, said on clude dizziness, headache, de- age in the market due to people arina Endeladze, head of infected with the Coronavirus. April 7th that the drug was used creased appetite, nausea, vom- buying to protect themselves the Department of Hospi- Tengiz Tsertsvadze, director of in Georgia with all patients. iting, abdominal pain, tinnitus, from the Coronavirus. Mtal for Infectious Diseases, stated the Scientific-Practical Center The doctors from the United irritability, dermatitis, psoriasis, Protest rally held in Marneuli violating all recommendations

CONTINUED FROM Page 1 bilized if needed. At the same caused some dissatisfaction. This time, he noted, up to 22,000 fami- has been used by certain political streets because of the political lies in the region have received forces, which have been clearly orders during the peak of the various types of assistance. By seen here and who have spoken epidemic. He accused locals and the end of the day, the governor not about management, but about opponents of the deal. promised to sell all the crops. elections and political issues. Rekhviashvili called the rally Sozar Subari, Advisor to the According to him, the main inappropriate and untimely. He PM on Regional Affairs, who has speculation was about the price, said the restrictions had had an also made an appearance at the because people said that last effect, but that certain forces rally also commented that cer- year, what they sold for 3-4 in wanted political speculation. tain political forces took advan- the market, say in Tbilisi, According to him, during the tage of the situation. According Kutaisi, now the company that conversation with the popula- to him, since the announcement came here is buying for 1. Plaquenil alleviates the conditions, but does not cure the tion, who want to sell local prod- of the strict quarantine, the However, Subari says prices are virus. ucts, took place in an absolutely population has not had any prob- changing everywhere and he has calm environment and the posi- lems with agricultural work explained this to the rally par- tions were reconciled; it was said and, conversely, there has been ticipants as well. EU4Digital to carry out market that all the accumulated agricul- maximum support in this re- The agreement has been assessment in Eastern partner tural products will come out eas- gard. Logistics was also ar- reached and a distribution ma- ily and the distribution com- ranged on how to import the chine will go to every village, countries pany, which has large spaces in goods needed here and how to every family, which will be Tbilisi, will receive the men- export agricultural products, loaded with products and will he EU has announced that it will support the extension of the tioned product, then will supply from which the rest of Georgia take it to any part of Georgia, T‘Digital innovation and scale-up’ initiative to the Eastern part- the rest of Georgia. is supplied, and not only Geor- Tbilisi, Kutaisi. ner countries (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, the Repub- The governor promises locals gia, but also the neighbors, “Secondly, when a company lic of Moldova and Ukraine), in line with the Eastern Partnership that more resources will be mo- which naturally, is now closed. buys something for 1, the price policy beyond 2020. As for price dissatisfaction, increase is about 5-7 tetri, not a The initiative will allow digital start-ups and small and medium- Subari said that the current situ- single tetri more. In other words, sized enterprises to improve their access to finance and EU mar- Weather ation, the current crisis in the this price increase cannot even kets, and strengthen their links with EU innovation ecosystems. world has changed prices every- cover the price of exporting from To achieve this, the EU4Digital Facility will carry out a market Friday, April 24 where. He explained that as soon here, because this is the situation assessment on the investment landscape for digital/high-tech inno- as these borders were closed, prod- today and we all have to work in vative start-ups in the six Eastern partner countries. Day Rain ucts were accumulated and this such a situation,” said Subari. High: 8°C published by Night Mostly Cloudy Nino Metreveli The Messenger welcomes your therefore, the opinions Commercial Director contributions. If you are expressed in some articles do Low: 5°C The Messenger 43, Chovelidze st., Tbilisi, interested in submitting an not necessarily coincide with article or news item please those of the newspaper. We Saturday, April 25 0108, Georgia Founded by Prof. Mariam Mchedlidze contact. take no responsibility for any Editor-in-Chief All contributions should be claims made in advertisments. Day Cloudy Zaza Gachechiladze Tamar Gachechiladze submitted by e-mail. High: 11°C Publisher The Messenger Georgia’s The Messenger preserves the Khatuna Gogichaishvili The Messenger The Messenger Night Showers Mob.:+995 599 565621; +995 577 760000 English language daily is an style of a source written in E-mail:[email protected] Layout Designer, Photographer independent newspaper, and, English where possible. Low: 7°C http://www.messenger.com.ge/ FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 2020 The Messenger Economics P3 Exchange Rates: US Dollar - 3.1854; Euro - 3.4291; GBP - 3.9317; 100 Russian Ruble - 4.2429; Swiss Franc - 3.2627

tion of part of the Pillar 2 buffer tion of the bank. Special atten- Georgian Banks suffer record (2/3 of the non-hedged credit risk tion is paid to the quality of as- buffer). Therefore 1.6 billion of sets. capital back was released to “In terms of transparency, the banks in March and expressed Georgian banking system is one 747 million in first quarter of 2020 readiness, if necessary, for addi- of the best and all stakeholders tional capital release. have the opportunity to receive planation regarding these statis- With the release of this re- important and timely informa- tics as well, noting that in pre- leased capital, there are far more tion about banks,” notes the let- vious years, the sector has been reserves that will allow banks to ter, adding that it’s the reason highly profitable, allowing banks handle even more negative de- why the banking sector has of- to create adequate volumes of velopments. ten been the object of unfair criti- buffers, the use of which is im- At the same time, the aver- cism (so-called high profitabil- portant in such crisis situations. age annual profit of the banking ity), while other economic enti- Statement reads, that the op- sector in recent years was 900 ties fail to ensure a high level of erating profit of the first quar- million, in 2020 only, the first 3 transparency and, thus, avoid ter of the banking sector months of operating profit is criticism. amounted to 386 million. The 386 million. Due to the increased NBG reiterated its prudent net profit of banks is negative credit losses, the net profit of regulatory policies of the current and minus 747 million, which banks this year may be negative, year, the potential losses in or- is only 1.5% of total assets. This predicts NBG. However, given der to neutralize large buffers are is mainly due to the creation of these decent operating incomes, available, and the banking reserves for negative expecta- it is expected that after the tran- sector’s stability is not in danger. tions from COVID-19. The bank- sition to the pandemic, banks As of now, the volume of over- ing sector, as of March, had pos- due loans in the Georgian bank- According to the statistics published by the NBG, most will soon regain profitability. sible losses of $1.2 billion in loans Statement also emphasized ing system is one of the lowest of the money was used by the banks to neutralize the reserve and this number repre- that financial statements of a in the region, accounting for potential losses. sents only a potential (and not commercial bank consistently 1.37% of the total portfolio, or sold) loss. The reserve in the reflect the real financial condi- 437 million. BY NATALIA KOCHIASHVILI of a surplus reserve, and it is event of the loss actually occurs irrelevant to talk about the fact in the future, banks will be able he 15 commercial banks op- that this reserve is actually be- to avoid the financial stability Terating in Georgia lost a to- ing realized and it will be more risks. tal of 747 million in the first or less than that.” According to In the previous periods, the quarter of 2020, according to GBA president, Aleksandre banking sector was profitable, statistics released by the Na- Dzneladze, all commercial banks notes NBG. In 2019, the tional Bank of Georgia (NBG). have held reserves and in the industry’s average annual profit This is the largest loss rate in NBG’s indicators, the profit is (ROE) was 20%, which allowed the history of these statistics. reduced to the direct reserves. banks to raise the capital ad- From the financial indicators, Other points in the statistics equacy ratio (CAR) to a high it is clear that the main reason of commercial banks’ financial level. At the same time, the NBG for the loss was the reserve by indicators show that, as of the imposed additional capital re- the banks for possible losses of first quarter, the revenues of quirements on banks, which cre- 1.2 billion. In total, Georgian Georgian banks remain stable. ated a fairly large capital buffer commercial banks have saved Moreover, all major indicators in the industry to deal with a 1.22 billion in the ‘possible losses have improved compared to similar stressful situation. 2019. Among them, compared to At the same time, the NBG of assets’ buffer, which reflects Overall state of economy is changing globally, in the US, the amount of possible losses on the previous year, the total in- eased capital requirements for first-quarter earnings reports from JPMorgan Chase and loans due to the expected crisis. come received by banks has in- banks. This change involved the Georgian Banking Association creased by 15.8% and it amounts abolition of the capital conserva- Wells Fargo showed the country’s largest banks were (GBA) explained that the dam- to 1.2 billion. tion buffer (2.5% of the weighted preparing for a recession and customer pain. customer age was caused by “the creation The NBG made a special ex- assets at risk) and the elimina- pain/recession. EU supports bilingual EU High Representative and campaign to inform local Prime Minister of Georgia population on COVID-19 discuss bilateral affairs

he EU-supported n 21 April, EU High Representative Mr Borrell presented the EU’s compre- TAkhalkalki Local OJosep Borrell had a phone call with hensive package to support Georgia and Action Group (LAG) in Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia the other Eastern partner countries in Georgia recently to discuss the global response to the COVID- addressing the short- and long-term socio- started a bilingual 19 pandemic, the EU’s support to Georgia economic impact of the pandemic. The online campaign to and the wider EU–Georgia agenda. support package amounts to ˆ80 million raise awareness In view of the comprehensive partner- for the immediate needs of the health sec- among the non-Geor- ship between the EU and Georgia, the tor, and ˆ883 million for the short-term gian speaking popula- High Representative and the Prime Min- socio-economic impact of COVID-19. As tion about the COVID- ister agreed to further strengthen their part of this package, Georgia will benefit 19 outbreak. The aim relationship and said they are looking from over ˆ180 million of redirected bilat- of the campaign is to forward to meeting at the next Associa- eral funds. inform non-Georgian tion Council. Mr Borrell reiterated the EU’s strong speakers about the cur- support of Georgia’s rent state of emergency reform process. He also and the health protec- added that the EU tion measures avail- firmly supports the sov- able. ereignty and territorial LAG has dissemi- integrity of Georgia nated over 10 videos in Photo: ENPARD Georgia within its internation- both Georgian and Ar- ally recognised borders. menian through social media. In addition, rules, protocols for going out, healthcare The EU described the over 15 bilingual posters have been cir- measures and focal contact points. recent ‘borderisation culated, containing information from the The campaign is part of the project activities’ along the World Health Organization, the National ‘Promoting a new rural development ap- administrative bound- Centre of Disease Control and Prevention, proach in Akhalkalaki’. It is implemented ary line in the Georgian and the Georgian Government. under the European Neighbourhood breakaway region of Locals are systematically informed Programme for Agriculture and Rural South Ossetia as ‘com- about the lockdown and self-isolation Development (ENPARD). Photo: European Union pletely unacceptable’. P4 Culture & Lifestyle The Messenger FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 2020 David Sarajishvili - Country of Liquid Sun their places of distillation, for the In 1902, David Sarajishvili his products and emerged as one purpose of observation and their was awarded the title of Com- of the most successful Georgian further adequate usage so as to mercial Advisor for his contribu- businessmen. With his knowl- prevent the mixing of the ethyl tion to development of alcoholic edge and skills, he turned the alcohols. In addition to the wines beverages. In 1913, his firm re- property inherited from his fa- obtained from his own vineyards, ceived the special title of Supplier ther into millions and be- he also purchased raw materi- of the Court of His Imperial queathed this great wealth, als of alcohols from other large Majesty. which was gained by fair means, producers. Agreements with the The famous Caucasian to Georgia. winemakers were made in ad- Shashlik restaurant was located Many of the strong alcoholic vance: Sarajishvili used to buy in the cellar of a building in the beverages produced by only those wines which were centre of Moscow, on Tver Street Sarajishvili’s firm are popular made without grape skins. The in front of Central Telegraph even now - cherry, apricot, rasp- blending of cognacs and liqueurs building. The owners served fine berry, rose, black currant and in his factories was done by the shashlik (grilled meat on pepper vodkas, peach and apricot French professionals, Jurde and skewers) together with stewed liqueurs, Jamaican rum, Swiss Burdon. Spanish onions, velvety Absinthe, tarragon and quinine Sarajishvili made the first Mukuzani and a gentle and beverages, amongst them. step in the creation of a Russian pleasant Geor- gian cognac Sarajishvili’s firm existed cognac production technology. In which was produced in Tbilisi. until 1916 when David’s his wife, 1889, at the session of a techni- Every evening, a young dancer Ekaterine Sarajishvili, died. cal commission, he was first who performed the Lekuri dance with (Porakishvili was her maiden avid Sarajishvili, as a busi- spoke about the technological twelve daggers for which he was name). Afterwards, upon the Dnessman, Maecenas and novelty permitting the reduction awarded the first prize at the basis of the firm, the so-called public figure, is an outstanding of the strength of the cognac international competition of the D. Z. Sarajishvili Partnership phenomenon in the history of alcohols through the addition of folk dancers in London in 1935. was established which operated Georgia. sugar syrup and distilled water. Diplomats and foreign guests to the end of 1919. David Sarajishvili, who had From 1890, therefore, the visited this restaurant not only David Sarajishvili’s work was wide range of interests and goals strength of Russian cognac was to taste the fine food and not vain. Georgian cognac pro- from his youth, left Tbilisi for decreased from 55% to 45% and Mukuzani or Georgian cognac duction, which was created by St.Petersburg after graduation the addition of 1.5% sugar and but also to see this dance perfor- him and based upon his vast from the Hacke Boarding School distilled water was allowed. In mance as well. experience, has had many and Gymnasium No. 1. In 1866, this way, the method of produc- David Sarajishvili initiated achievements. Fortunately, he enrolled in the Faculty of Natu- tion of Russian cognac approxi- the production of cognac not only there are some very old cognacs ral Sciences of St. Petersburg mated the French techniques. in Tbilisi but in Transcaucasus which are stored in the cellars University and, after one year, In 1884, the firm Sarajishvili and Russia as well. He was the of company David Sarajishvili continued his education at the and Partners was established. originator of an absolutely new and Eniseli. This repository is Faculty of Chemistry at Munich After one year, together with his production and he gained a mar- indeed unique as it is hardly University. In 1871, he was father-in-law, Ivane ket for his products and provided imaginable that cognac alcohol, awarded the degree of Doctor. Porakishvili, Sarajishvili pur- permanent subsistence to thou- made in 1893 would be still are Up until the year 1878, chased the vodka factory located sands of people. He became very still available as a legacy in the Sarajishvili studied agricultural on 4.5 versts from Vladikavkaz wealthy through the expansion form of this legacy of David sciences in Germany. Between and began production. of his business and the sale of Sarajishvili. 1878-1879, he visited France in In 1902, the firm launched a order to study wine making and new business involving trade in the production of strong alcoholic Kakhetian wine. Sarajishvili beverages. After returning from was engaged in wine production France, he intended to work in quite seriously which was fur- the sphere of agriculture but be- ther evidenced by the fact that came engaged in vodka produc- he ordered a great number of tion. Although the mass produc- American vines from France tion of vodka and cognac began through the Imperial Agricul- in Georgia from 1850-1860s, the tural Society of Caucasus for products of various producers planting in large vineyards in were of low quality and produc- Kvareli. tion technologies were primitive. In addition to vodka produc- David Sarajishvili purchased tion, Sarajishvili was interested a vodka factory and launched the in other business as well; spe- production of high quality alco- cifically, the breeding of the bulls holic beverages. He was aware and pigs for market. At the time, that Georgia vine varieties, with only Georgians were employed in their organic properties and this business. In 1902, the pub- chemical composition, were close lic was informed about the in- to the French von Blanc and tention of the meat shop com- Colombard grapes from which mission to purchase 2,000 of French cognacs were produced. cattle for slaughtering annually. From the Sarajishvili’s fam- Sarajishvili was so charmed ily estate, peasants delivered by the beauty of Caucasian goats grapes by horse-drawn carriages that he placed a sculpture in to the Tbilisi rectification fac- their image in the yard of his tory, located on Olga Street (cur- house. The sculpture was made rently Merab Kostava Street) for by Iakob Nikoladze and was processing and making the co- placed at the office of Sarajishvili gnac spirits. Sarajishvili started and Partners located on Olga producing cognac spirits and Street, as well. Moreover, their cask-aging using French Sarajishvili also had a wall clock technology. Anton Jurde, a fa- prepared by the French clock mous specialist from the Cognac makers with the emblem of the Department in France, was in- Caucasian goat. It is not surpris- vited by Sarajishvili to provide ing, therefore, that the emblem assistance. of Sarajishvili’s firm is s a Cau- Sarajishvili’s alcohol factory casian goat on a rock. was opened on 1 September 1884, In 1889-1913, cognacs and at the premises on Olga Street other alcoholic beverages pro- in Tbilisi. It underwent duced by Sarajishvili’s firm were modernisation in 1886 and 1892 awarded prizes at international which led to the increase in the and all Russian exhibitions and production of high quality cognac fairs with 11 gold, 2 silver and 1 spirits by 40 times. bronze medals. His firm held a Sarajishvili was careful to special place as well at the Cau- keep the cognac spirits sepa- casian Exhibition held in Tbilisi rately, grouped according to at the Mushtaidi Park .