The State Security Service of Georgia (SSSG) has confirmed that it is requesting documentation from a number of companies as part of an investigation into the process of price formation, stressing that the inquiry is strictly limited in scope.
SSSG says electronic versions of relevant documents are being obtained on the basis of court orders and relate solely to how prices are formed.
“We are not interested in other financial matters in this case, as they do not constitute the subject of the ongoing investigation,” the State Security Service said in a statement.
The clarification follows a statement by the Retail Association, which reported that the Anti-Corruption Agency, acting in accordance with established procedures and court authorizations, has requested contracts, accounting documentation, and invoices from its member companies.
The association emphasized that its members are cooperating with the authorities within the legal framework.
The document requests come amid heightened government attention to rising food prices and concerns over market transparency. A coordination commission has been established to address the issue, bringing together senior government officials and regulatory bodies.
The commission includes:
Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development Mariam Kvrivishvili
Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture Davit Songulashvili
Minister of Finance Lasha Khutsishvili
Minister for Internally Displaced Persons from the Occupied Territories, Labour, Health and Social Affairs Mikheil Sarjveladze
Head of the State Security Service Mamuka Mdinaradze
Head of the Government Administration Levan Zhorzholiani
Chairman of the Competition and Consumer Protection Agency Irakli Lekvinadze
As part of these efforts, on January 21, Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze met with representatives of major retail chain stores at the Government Administration of Georgia. The meeting focused on market conditions, pricing practices, and possible measures to stabilize food prices amid inflationary pressures.
The authorities maintain that the investigation aims to ensure transparency and fair competition, while business groups have called for clear communication to avoid uncertainty in the retail sector.
Image: 1TV
