2016-10-03
Implementation of the project of future of Georgia begins - an investment agreement implicating construction and operation of Anaklia Deep Sea Port between the Government of Georgia and Anaklia Development Consortium has been concluded.
Prime Minister of Georgia Giorgi Kvirikashvili participated in laying the groundwork for one of the most strategically important projects of the country.
Project of epochal importance for our country, - the head of Government assessed the Anaklia Port and elaborated on its advantages.
"Strategic location, high throughput, ability of developing logistical services, prospects of expansion and development as well as other benefits will provide a solid foundation for Georgia to perform its historical function within the frames of New Silk Road corridor. At the same time, Anaklia Deep Sea Port will have every opportunity of becoming the central maritime gateway of our country and, more importantly, region's one of the key logistical centers. Anaklia Port is in complete compliance with the most large-scale component of the Government's four-point reform plan - spatial planning and represents the most important infrastructural project under its umbrella," - Prime Minister stated.
Anaklia Port will be the largest port not only in Georgia, but on the Northeast coast of the Black Sea.
"This is the project of future of Georgia and I am happy to be participating in initiating the positive changes of such a scale in the economy of Georgia," - Prime Minister noted.
Anaklia Development Consortium was selected as a result of reviewing the bidding offers on development, construction and operationalization of Anaklia Deep Sea Port.
The head of the Government believed that cooperation with the company will make the project exemplary for the whole Georgia and the region.
Anaklia Deep Sea Port will be constructed in several stages; it encompasses 9 phases and its ultimate throughput may go up to as many as 100 million tons.
Anaklia Development Consortium will perform its obligations before the state in several stages. 586 million USD will be invested during the first phase of the project administration.
According to the Prime Minister, the scale of draft investment agreement sets a new standard in drawing up a contract of such kind.
"Leading international legal, technical and financial experts from various countries participated in drafting the document. It prescribes the rights and obligations of the parties as well as aspects of constructing and operating Port in a detailed manner. Each of the provisions - starting with the general plan and ending with insurance and regulating law - are stipulated in a way to ensure implementation of the project in the best possible manner. It is noteworthy that the investor will fund development of training center requalifying local residents for their future employment at the port. The list of trainings that will be free for the citizens of Georgia has already been defined. You will agree that this will be a sizeable relief and a stimulus for our citizens and the residents of this region," - Giorgi Kvirikashvili indicated.
According to the Prime Minister, it is of utmost importance that Anaklia Deep Sea Port will create thousands of workplaces in Georgia,
"I believe that many people look forward to implementation of this project as a source of stable income for the residents. Anaklia Port inspires completely realistic hopes in the community. This project will create growing number of the workplaces and many families will be relieved. I would like to name one more important aspect of the contract - an investor accepts the responsibility to fund construction of various facilities, including ambulatory hospital, kindergarten, business center and playgrounds for the purpose of further transferring them to the state. This all will benefit local residents and whole country," - Prime Minister noted.
Giorgi Kvirikashvili believes that Anaklia Deep Sea Port will be a project providing qualitatively new capacities for the country.
"Many countries cannot afford implementation of such projects. We have to seize this opportunity. Anaklia project is an investment that serves wellbeing of the country, irreversible progress of our economy and significant increase of the role of Georgia," - Prime Minister noted.
Founders of Anaklia Development Consortium Mamuka Khazaradze and Kurt Conti as well as Regional Director of Van Oord Govert Van Oord also attended the ceremony. They thanked the Prime Minister and the Government of Georgia for supporting the project.
Prime Minister's Press Office