The purpose of the mission was to assist the National Statistics Office of Georgia (Geostat) with continuing its modernization of the Consumer Price Index (CPI). This was the first technical assistance (TA) mission to Georgia to specifically focus on scanner data (SD). Two earlier missions on the residential property price index (RPPI) (September 23–October 4, 2019, and November 30–December 4, 2020) already provided initial guidance and addressed the planned modernization of the CPI using SD. The mission was delivered remotely, and the sessions were recorded for future reference.

This Technical Assistance (TA) report on Georgia is on Residential Property Price Indices (RPPI) Mission. The contents of this report constitute technical advice provided by the IMF staff to the authorities of Georgia in response to their request for TA. The Second Phase of the G-20 Data Gaps Initiative and guidance on Financial Soundness Indicators identify RPPI as a critical ingredient of financial stability policy analysis and macroprudential measures. National Statistics Office of Georgia (Geostat) is aiming at compiling a quarterly RPPI covering new flats and new detached houses for the capital city, Tbilisi. The mission implemented successfully the programs developed in R based on the IMF’s draft for the RPPI Practical Compilation Guide with the available data. The mission provided some guidance on the use of scanner data (SD) on the consumer price index (CPI) compilation. As per request of the Geostat Director, the mission also addressed the use of SD. The introduction of SD should be made on a stepwise approach to avoid huge impacts on the CPI and to make it more manageable, reliable, and safe.

The second phase of the G-20 Data Gaps Initiative and guidance on financial soundness indicators identify the residential property price index (RPPI) as a critical ingredient of financial stability policy analysis and macroprudential measures. At the request of the National Statistics Office of Georgia (Geostat), a technical assistance mission was conducted by the IMF’s Statistics Department (STA) to support the launch of a new quarterly RPPI for Georgia. This work was part of a three-year project to improve national accounts and price statistics in Eastern and Southeastern Europe, funded by the Government of The Netherlands. The mission finalized the preparatory work to disseminate the quarterly RPPI beginning in April 2021.

The purpose of the mission was to assist the Bureau of National Statistics of the Agency for Strategic Planning and Reforms of the Republic of Kazakhstan (BNS) with continuing its modernization of the Consumer Price Index (CPI). This was the first technical assistance (TA) mission to Kazakhstan on scanner data (SD). The mission was delivered remotely.

High frequency estimates suggest a V-shaped recovery with output now poised to return close to 2019 levels already this year, much earlier than expected. Recently COVID-19 case numbers have risen sharply to new highs while vaccinations have also accelerated significantly after a slow start. The recovery has improved the fiscal outlook and the authorities submitted to Parliament a supplementary budget, with GEL 1.2 billion in additional spending roughly equivalent to the expected increase in revenues. The National Bank of Georgia (NBG) has increased the policy rate by 200 basis points to deal with high inflation driven by lagging effects of depreciation, commodity and food price increases, and supply side constraints.

Georgia’s economic performance remains robust. Growth has moderated from double digits but remains high, inflation is low, and fiscal and financial buffers are healthy. EU candidate status has boosted sentiment, but the global environment remains highly uncertain due to ongoing conflicts and shifting geo-economic patterns. Georgia should continue to strengthen its resilience to adverse shocks by maintaining prudent macroeconomic policies and boost its growth potential by addressing long-standing structural challenges, capitalizing on new economic opportunities, and making decisive progress towards EU accession.