Paper Publishes list of ‘Richest Georgians’

The Georgian-language newspaper Georgian Times published a list of, as it said, the “richest Georgians” on February 15, featuring Badri Patarkatsishvili in the top of the list with USD 12 billion. Also on the list are former Defense Minister Irakli Okruashvili, with USD 250 million, and Prime Minister Zurab Nogaideli with USD 75 million.

The list is made up of 81 persons and also includes, as the newspaper said, ethnic Georgian businessmen operating outside the country.

The newspaper does not explain the precise methodology that was used to compile the list.

The paper only says that the list is based on capital value owned by individuals and on information provided by “famous businessmen and independent experts who preferred to remain anonymous.” The newspaper also says that there may be “some minor inaccuracies” because the list is published for the first time, and also because assets owned by many Georgians are not transparent. No other details of the list-compiling process are presented.

Bidzina (Boris) Ivanishvili is second on the list with USD 8 billion. In the list of world’s richest people 2006, Forbes magazine estimated Ivanishvili’s net worth at USD 3,9 billion.

The Georgian Times also included Aslan Abashidze, ex-leader of the Adjara Autonomous Republic, in the list with USD 1 billion.

This post is also available in: ქართული (Georgian) Русский (Russian)