The Minister of Regional Development and Infrastructure of Georgia Updated the BAG Members on Ongoing and Planned Projects

15 Oct '10

On October 15 at Sheraton Metekhi Palace Hotel, the Minister of Regional Development and Infrastructure of Georgia, Mr. Ramaz Nikolaishvili discussed with the members of the Business Association of Georgia on regional development strategy, the planned infrastructural projects and the increased involvement of Georgian businessmen in these projects.
The meeting was opened by the President of the Association, Mr. George Chirakadze who stressed the interest of Georgian business in the projects implemented by the Regional Development Ministry and also the importance of infrastructure in general for business development.
According to Ramaz Nikolaishvili, last year the Ministry managed to rehabilitate major part of the roads nation-wide, construction of concrete covered road to Mestia was launched and is planned to be completed in the nearest future. One of the most significant challenges is the construction of autobahn and Kharsi-Akhalkalaki railway project to be implemented already from next year. Improvement of water supply in several cities of Georgia is also planned for the next year.
The Minister pronounced that the government is keen to involve as much as possible Georgian companies in the implemented projects and has even adjusted some approaches to this end which will allow for more local companies to participate in tenders opened by the Ministry and for improvement of communication between the Ministry and Georgian business. At the Minister's initiative, a group ensuring prompt and effective exchange of information will be set up with the participation of the Business Association and the Ministry.
Second part of the meeting was delivered by a special guest, Director of the Centre for Strategic Studies, Mr. Irakli Menagarishvili to talk about foreign political situation around Georgia and global political trends. According to him, the Strategic Cooperation Charter signed by Georgia with the United State of America has an extremely important value at this stage in terms of security. In addition, ongoing political processes in the Caucasus and Georgia's involvement in these processes are also important, which is related with significant prospects besides the risks.