Georgian PM: highway construction key to strengthening Georgia’s transit, connectivity role

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Saturday said that the development of Georgia’s transit function and its role as a regional connectivity hub was one of his government’s top priorities.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of a new section of the Samtredia-Grigoleti Highway, Kobakhidze noted that infrastructure development was essential to strengthening Georgia’s transit potential and economic position.

“These processes are of particular importance, including from an economic perspective. One of our top priorities is developing our country’s transit function and our role in connectivity, and the construction of highways plays a particularly important role in this regard. All of this is part of a broader plan aimed at developing transit resources”, he said.

The Prime Minister highlighted upcoming expansions at major airports, including a completely new international airport in Tbilisi by 2031 and significant capacity increases at Kutaisi and Batumi airports.

“We also plan to expand the capacity of international airports. In a few years, by 2031, we will have an entirely new international airport in Tbilisi. Before then, the capacity and throughput of Kutaisi International Airport will be significantly expanded, and the same applies to Batumi Airport”, Kobakhidze noted.

He also highlighted ongoing reforms in the railway sector, saying that the railway modernization process has been completed and the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway has been reopened.

“We are also working on railway development. Important reforms have been implemented in the railway sector over the past year. We have completed the railway modernisation process and also reopened the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway. Changes are being implemented in many areas that will significantly increase the resources of Georgian Railways”, he stressed.

Kobakhidze further pointed to the development of Georgia’s ports, including the construction of the Anaklia Port, as another important element of the country’s connectivity strategy.

“The process of developing ports is also actively underway, including the construction of the Anaklia Port. Everything is being done to ensure that our country moves to a qualitatively new stage over the next few years”, Kobakhidze concluded.