2015-12-18
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili met with Galip Öztürk, a Turkish businessman and founder of Metro Atlas of Georgia. The meeting focused on Öztürk's plans to provide a second donation to Georgia's Solidarity Fund, and the two sides discussed current investment projects and the Fund's activities.
"We had a very productive meeting. We talked about the ongoing projects over the last year. We discussed the new project, which will be the largest hotel in Georgia - a 1,200-room hotel. We spoke about future development plans in Tbilisi and covered the tourism potential. Georgia has gained significant strategic importance and we have discussed ways to maximum that," stated Öztürk.
Öztürk announced that he will donate an additional $500,000 to the Solidarity Fund, which will help finance projects including the diagnoses and treatments of children under the age of 22.
He continued, "We have agreed to set up a tourism college, where young people will be educated in the sphere of Batumi tourism. Today, we handed over a symbolic check to the Prime Minister. Our second donation provides for the transfer of $500,000 to the Solidarity Fund. Congratulations to Georgia, for having such a young, energetic and positive Prime Minister."
The Prime Minister thanked Galip Öztürk for the implementation of investment projects in Georgia and his charity work.
He also noted that the Solidarity Fund, together with the Ministry of Health, has coordinated the cooperation of government, non-government and international organizations to develop stronger pediatric oncology services in Georgia over the next two years.
Metro Holding has already invested $75 million in Georgia, and after this project the total investment will reach $200 million and employ 2,500 to 3,000 people.
Solidarity Fund President Mariam Jashi also attended the meeting.