2019-10-26
Today Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia held a meeting with farmers and entrepreneurs in the village of Zeda Etseri, Samegrelo.
The Head of Government spoke about the development of agriculture and tourism, and familiarized himself with the local entrepreneurs' initiatives and problems.
According to Giorgi Gakharia, the further development of viticulture, alongside traditional horticultural activities, is key for boosting tourism.
"Even smaller wineries are important to tourism. Foreigners already identify Georgia with wine. And on their 3rd or 4th visit, wherever they set their foot, they should be able to find good wine. Historically, this region also had its own varieties, and they can be revived.
Agriculture and tourism can fast generate significant revenues for Samegrelo today. Everything is measurable, just like in your personal farm. The potential of hazelnut farming, for instance, is 100 million a year. With proper good work, hazelnut farming can generate about 100 million in a couple of years," Giorgi Gakharia stated.
According to the Head of Government, significant work is in order in the region to create new tourism products.
"Georgia's current tourism revenues have exceeded 2 billion USD. It is real money, of which probably less than 3% is Samegrelo's share, because more must be done to put in place tourism products. The local authorities are well aware of that. And if we manage to do something in the remaining 2 months this year, we must at least develop a decent plan to guide us next year. Hotels must be built in Zugdidi. Nokalakevi must be restored as soon as possible, and many other historical monuments, Routes like Martvili-Chkhorotzku-Tzalenjikha and Tzalenjikha-Zugdidi must be developed. Protected areas enjoy scores of visitors, and many opportunities exist in Samegrelo to allow tourists to spend 5-6 days. We need hotel infrastructure in Zugdidi and Poti, followed by Mestia, Martvili, and Chkhorotzku-Tzalenjikha. Family-run inns must be developed, and this way, step by step, revenue sources must be put in place in the region," Giorgi Gakharia stated.
During the meeting with entrepreneurs, the Prime Minister emphasized the importance of Anaklia Port development.
"Today, local youth ask me about the Anaklia Port, about employment, and so on. Of course, Anaklia is very important. I do not think that Anaklia is just a port, which it is not. The problem of this region is that Samegrelo has turned into a dead end in the past 30 years. And it is a problem. In terms of economic development, the biggest problem is that Samegrelo has turned into a dead end. And Anaklia, similar to railroad resumption after the restoration of territorial integrity, is one way to avoid this dead end. We all agree that everything cannot be done in 5 years, but Anaklia can be developed in 5 years. Substantially, it is not so much about how many people the port will employ as it is about this region no longer being a dead end. That is the key purpose of Anaklia," the Head of Government stated.
Prime Minister's Press Office