Ministry of Economic Development of Georgia > News
2010 budget of Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway project was approved on the 8th coordination council in Hotel Radisson today. The sides discussed different issues concerning the current construction and restructuring of the trunk-line.
The Minister of Economic Development of Georgia Zurab Pololikashvili said that the project is of utmost importance.
“The budget of the project which despite the world economic crisis didn’t stop for a day was approved today and the amount summed to 100 million USD, which will be invested by the Azebaijanian side. The project will start functioning in 2012. The project is of utmost importance because large investments are made and several hundreds of people are employed on this segment; the project promotes the development of the infrastructure and this main line is the easiest way connecting Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey” – announced Zurab Pololikashvili.
The Minister said that 30-35 percent of the work is already done and the resting part of the done will be done within two years.
The Minister of Transport of Azerbaijan Zia Mamedov said that the 100 million dollars will be invested by the Azerbaijan Oil Fund according to the order of President Ilkham Aliev.
“We are working on the railroad as scheduled and shall be in the stage of completion by the end of 2011, and we shall connect Baku-Tbilisi-Kars in 2012” – said Mamedov.
The Minister said that this segment has a great economic and regional importance for the countries.
“This corridor will connect Europe and Asia. Kazakhstan is also interested in the project. Kazakhstan is planning to transport 10 million tons of cargo on the first year of exploitation” – announced Zia Mamedov.
The 8th coordination council of Baku-Tbilisi-Kars project was attended by the Minister of Transport of Azerbaijan Zia Mamedov, Deputy Minister Musa Hasanov, Deputy Minister of Economic Development Nasir Talibov, head of the railroad Afir Askerov and other official persons. The Minister of Economic Development of Georgia Zurab Pololikashvili, general director of LTD “Georgian Rilroad” Irakli Ezugbaia, manager of LTD “Marabda-Kartsakhi” Bidzina Bregadze, Head of Transport Department Mamuka Vatsadze and other officials participated in the council from the Georgian side.
