MINISTRY OF ECONOMY
AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
OF GEORGIA

Deputy Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development, Tamar Ioseliani, along with the General Director of Georgian Railway JSC, Lasha Abashidze, met with Alan Purcell, the US Chargé d’Affaires to Georgia as well as the representatives of the American rail transport manufacturing corporation, Wabtec.

At the meeting, the Deputy Minister spoke extensively about the processes in Georgia’s transport and logistics sector, as well as existing and planned large-scale projects, the implementation of which will significantly increase Georgia’s role as a transit player in the Middle Corridor.

Outstanding project of the modernization of Georgian Railway was one of the discussion points. It was noted that Georgia plans to spend 1 billion GEL this year to renew Georgian Railway’s wagon and locomotive fleet. The Deputy Minister stated that developing the country’s transit function is a priority for the government, in which the smooth and safe operation of the railway plays a vital role.

Wabtec representatives expressed interest in the locomotive fleet renewal project. The parties agreed that the railway would provide detailed information to the American company regarding the future procurement. The meeting also touched upon major infrastructure projects such as the Anaklia Deep Sea Port, the East-West Highway, the new Tbilisi Airport, etc.