The US Department of Treasury through its Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), has imposed sanctions on two Georgian government officials and two private citizens for their roles in suppressing fundamental freedoms, including freedom of expression and peaceful assembly. According to the U.S. Treasury, these individuals were involved in violent crackdowns on protestors related to Georgia’s controversial "foreign influence law," passed in May 2024.

The underrepresentation of women in entrepreneurship in Georgia is a significant problem that disproportionately affects women’s ability to start and to sustain businesses. Despite legislative efforts and economic strategies intended to enhance the business environment, women face considerable challenges, such as limited access to finance, which hamper their ability to start and grow businesses.

In the past year or so Georgia has experienced significant declines in economic governance. In addition to the anti-democratic Law on Transparency of Foreign Influence (known as the Agents Law), several laws and legal amendments initiated by the ruling party and the Parliamentary majority have drawn significant attention from stakeholders, experts, and the general public.

Polarization intensified further with the approval of the so-called Russian Law and the ongoing demonstrations. The index's peak coincides with large demonstrations in Europe Square and the overriding of the president's veto on the Russian law.

The recent amendment to Georgia’s tax code, known as the “offshores law,” has sparked significant concern regarding the integrity of Georgia’s financial system. This policy brief examines the implications of this amendment in the context of Georgia’s recent political and regulatory developments, which have raised alarms about the potential risks of money laundering and sanctions evasion.