Georgian PM announces “modern airport” in Telavi, new projects due to “high economic growth”

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili on Monday said his Government was launching the construction of a new, “modern” airport in the eastern city of Telavi, on the site of an existing airfield, with the facility expected to receive first passengers in the spring of the next year. 

 

Speaking at the Government session, the PM said the project cost amounted to about 12 million dollars,and pointing to 7.2 percent in economic growth between January and July, he also announced adjustments in the budget to build new ports, hydro power plans and other infrastructure. 

 

Garibashvili also praised his office for decreasing inflation to 0.9 percent last month, and claimed the turnover of the business sector had increased by 15 percent and reached $18 billion in the second quarter of this year. 

 

The PM also said incomes from tourism had amounted to $4.5 billion last year and added his Government had plans to extend the runway of western Kutaisi airport to 3.5 km. 

 

He also said the budget would allocate about $0.30 in subsidies for damaged grapes following heavy rainfalls and hail in the country’s eastern Kakheti region last week. 

 

Garibashvili claimed the region had received $102 million in income from winemaking last year.