PM vows launch of construction of Anaklia deep sea port, claims poverty at “historic minimum”

Georgian prime minister Irakli Garibashvili on Friday pledged the launch of construction of Anaklia deep sea port in the country’s west this year, with budget funds. 

 

In his report to the parliament, the PM claimed it was necessary to increase the capacity of domestic ports, amid the allegations of the part of the opposition that in previous years the authorities had deliberately hampered the construction of the port “as demanded by the Kremlin”. 

 

Garibashvili also said his office was consulting  with foreign companies over the construction of a new airport in the country, adding works were expected to launch in 2024. 

 

He also said the number of employed individuals had  increased “significantly” by 70,000 and amounted to 1,271,000 in the first quarter of this year, adding the poverty level had hit 15.6 percent, which he said was a “historic minimum”. 

 

Garibahsvili also highlighted the volume of foreign direct investments have reached a “record level” – two billion dollars, and that the “record amount” of 103 million liters of wine worth 252 million dollars were exported last  year to 66 countries. 

 

In his speech the PM slammed the “radical, destructive wing” of the domestic opposition and said the main goal of his government was to “save” the country amid the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict.