PM Kobakhidze: Georgia aims to make Middle Corridor faster, more reliable, predictable

Georgia aims to make the Middle Corridor faster, more reliable and predictable while further strengthening Black Sea connectivity, Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze said at the Georgia International Maritime Forum in Batumi.

“The success of the Middle Corridor and the full realization of its potential depend on how effectively we connect our infrastructure and transportation systems,” Kobakhidze said on Monday.

He highlighted the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway as an example of such cooperation, noting that the project was implemented through joint efforts by Georgia, Azerbaijan and Turkey and fully entered into operation in June.

According to Kobakhidze, the importance of the maritime forum has increased amid new challenges facing the global economy, as the diversification of routes, resilient supply chains and reliable connections between Europe and Asia become increasingly important.

“Georgia has for centuries been a place where East and West, Europe and Asia meet, and today we are an integral part of the Middle Corridor, which has significant potential and strategic importance,” he said.

The prime minister cited World Bank estimates that, with appropriate investment and increased efficiency, cargo flows along the Middle Corridor could triple by 2030, while transit times could be cut in half.

Kobakhidze said Georgia had developed a long-term plan to capitalize on the corridor’s potential, with approximately $7 billion planned to be mobilized by 2032 for the development of key transport and logistics infrastructure.

The 10-year plan envisages doubling railway capacity and halving cargo transportation times, doubling the capacity of ports and tripling the capacity of international airports, he said.

He also noted that more than GEL 1 billion will be invested this year in the modernization of Georgia’s railway infrastructure and rolling stock, while 75% of the East-West International Highway has already been completed.

Kobakhidze stressed the importance of human capital, describing Georgian seafarers and maritime professionals as an important national resource and saying that providing them with modern education and high professional standards remains a priority.

He also stressed the importance of safe navigation in the Black Sea, regional peace and stability, and respect for international law.

“Georgia remains committed to international law and a rules-based maritime order,” Kobakhidze said, adding that the country had successfully fulfilled all obligations undertaken under its Association Agreement with the European Union in the maritime transport sector and continues to implement international maritime standards.

He expressed hope that the Georgia International Maritime Forum would contribute to stronger partnerships, further development of regional connectivity and the creation of new opportunities for Georgia, the Black Sea region and the Middle Corridor as a whole.