IDFI: gov’t spends only GEL 7.9mln of GEL 67mln from Reserve Fund on fight against Covid

In 2020 and the first six months of 2021, a total of GEL 67 million was allocated from the Georgian Government Reserve Fund, which is for unexpected expenses, of which more than GEL 61 million (GEL 61.8 million) was spent. 

“Only 13% (GEL 7.9 million) of the 67 million GEL was spent directly on the fight against coronavirus,” The  Institute for Development of Freedom of Information (IDFI) says in its recent report. 

IDFI says that the largest amount of the 67 million GEL – 37% (GEL 22.7 million) – was spent by the Ministry of Justice of Georgia on international arbitration disputes and ongoing litigation in foreign courts. 

10% (6.5 million GEL) was spent on the necessary measures for the second round of elections, 9% (5.6 million GEL) was spent by the Georgian government administration on the procurement of lobbying consulting services. 

23% (GEL 14.4 million) was spent on funding the Ministry of Defense.

 The remaining 7% (GEL 4.2 million) was spent on various purposes ‘that have little to do with pandemic challenges.’ 

IDFI also says that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia has been assigned a ‘confidential amount of up to half a million GEL allocated from the reserve fund.’