2016-10-04
Georgia starts manufacturing locomotives of modern standards, - the projects is administered by the Georgian Railway in cooperation with the world's largest railway producing corporation CRRC. Prime Minister of Georgia Giorgi Kvirikashvili attended the signing of the relevant agreement. According to the Prime Minister, the project is important in terms of Georgian-Chinese cooperation and development of regional economy.
The head of the Government also elaborated on the prospects of developing Georgia's transit potential and in this light indicated Anaklia Deep Sea Port project - an investment agreement of which was concluded yesterday.
"The Port is truly groundbreaking strategic step in terms of developing Georgia's transit potential and represents an indivisible part of the largest component of the Government's four-point reform plan - spatial planning. It is encouraging to note that trade, economic and investment relations of Georgia and China are developing rapidly. An agreement on cooperation between Georgia and China in the area of the New Silk Road was signed a couple of years ago. Respective document includes cooperation in strategically important areas, including - transportation, energy sector. Transit, logistics. Pursuant to the initiative of the Minister of Commerce of China and as a result of our meeting we commenced and finalized negotiations on Free Trade Agreement with China in record-breaking 7 months. Georgia has established itself on the regional map as a state of open economy enjoying free trade agreements with the EU, all neighbouring countries and expects to sign the FTA with China in the near future. This will be a major historic step in terms of developing trade and economic relations," - Prime Minister noted.
Giorgi Kvirikashvili indicated that by launching the joint projects with the CRRC, Georgia took a major step in the direction of long-term developing of Georgian railway infrastructure. Introducing qualitative changes in the sector is of utmost importance for utilizing transit potential of the country and I welcome this agreement as a major step in this direction. Ongoing and planned projects ensure increase of the capacity of the Georgia's main line and introduction of the modern standards of safety.
Complete modernization of the railway infrastructure is of utmost importance, ensuring that Georgia reclaims its historic function and becomes a significant destination within the New Silk Road," - Prime Minister indicated. The head pf the Government stated that implementation of these projects will boost Georgian economy thus creating new prospects of promotion and welfare. Giorgi Kvirikashvili thanked the delegation of China as well as other people participating in drafting the agreement and indicated that this is a significant step taken in direction of elevating Georgian-Chinese economic and trade relations.
According to the Prime Minister, long-term cooperation with the largest corporation the CRRC is planned to ensure purchasing of the railway components and bringing manufacturing process to Georgia thus developing new industrial potential.
"The plant will be designed to meet demands of both Georgian and regional markets. Dynamics of our relations with China is growing. We have attained positive results in many areas. We will sign the FTA in the near future. We have started working in many directions, including wine export - this year we did not expect to export even 3 million bottles of wine, whereas according to the 8-month data 3.5 bottles of wine have been exported. This is one-third of the amount of wine exported to Russia. You can imagine importance of the Chinese market for the purposes of diversification of our export. Hence, I am glad that this agreement was signed," - Giorgi Kvirikashvili indicated in his conversation with the media.
The joint venture that will be established in Tbilisi will produce the railway rolling stock; the agreement between Georgian railway and the Georgian-Chinese company also provides for purchase of the 28 freight locomotives with asynchronous engine of high capacity.
Prime Minister's Press Office