The Deputy Ministers of Economy and Sustainable Development, Genadi Arveladze and Inga Pkhaladze, met with the Regional Director of the US Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) for Central Asia, North Africa, Europe, and Eurasia, Karl Kress, and discussed the priorities of future cooperation with him.
The meeting paid special attention to the middle corridor, the current and planned projects of the Georgian government for its development, and the possibility of finding technical support from the US agency in this process.
At the meeting, it was emphasized that the development of the middle corridor and the integration of Georgian transport infrastructure into international transit schemes are the priority of the government. In this regard, the importance of developing regional initiatives such as CAREC (Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation Program), TRACECA (Europe-Caucasus-Asia Transport Corridor), Trans-European Transport Network, and others was emphasized.
The Georgian side focused attention on projects of regional importance, whose full operation will increase the development of our country as a transport hub. Among the projects were Anaklia Deepwater Port, the modernization of Georgian Railway, the completion of Bako-Tbilisi-Karsi Railway, the complete operation of East-West Highway, the construction of Tbilisi International Airport, and others. The meeting also focused on projects that enhance Georgia as a transit hub function in various sectors, including emphasis on the Black Sea submarine cable project, which will connect Georgia to the energy market of the EU.
The US Trade and Development Agency has expressed interest in projects aimed at developing the post-mid-corridor. He emphasized identifying and supporting the needs that would help increase the competitiveness of this transportation corridor, while attracting U.S. investment in the process.
It was noted that in addition to Georgia, the working visit of the representatives of the agency will include exploring the possibilities available in Armenia and Azerbaijan, as well as Bosnia-Herzegovina, which will be aimed at developing transport corridors.
The meeting was also attended by Givi Zedelashvili, Head of the Ministry of Trade Development and International Economic Relations, Aleksandre Sokhadze, Head of Energy Policy and Investment Projects Department, Director of Georgian Maritime Transport Agency Ivane Abashidze, Director General of Georgian Railway Lasha Abashidze, and USTDA Turkish Office Representatives of the US Embassy in Tbilisi.
