MINISTRY OF ECONOMY
AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
OF GEORGIA

Inter-agency government commission, which was established to select a private partner for the Anaklia Deep Sea Project and whose latest session was held on September 20 at the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development, reviewed in detail the documentation submitted by the companies participating in the expression of interest announced for the construction of the Anaklia Deep Sea Port. Two companies were selected to the shortlist. Within the framework of the session, relevant protocols were signed by the members of the commission, including the Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development, Minister of Finance, Minister of Regional Development and Infrastructure and Minister of Environment Protection and Agriculture.

Following the evaluation of the candidates, the qualified candidates were given several months to present technical, commercial and financial proposal, which be revised by the commission to select the winner and after that, the Ministry of Economy will start negotiations on preparation of the Concession Contract and the Partners’ Agreement.

Port infrastructure development is one of the priority directions of the Georgian Government, where special importance is attached to the construction of a deep-sea port in Anaklia. After the initial investor of the project failed to fulfil its obligations and the investment area returned to the ownership of the state, the Anaklia Deep Sea Port Development Agency, with the help of the authoritative international consultants, updated the cargo flow forecasts and business model for the project. It also ensured the development of a new marketing strategy and the selection of the optimal public-private partnership model. All procedures were carried out to meet the highest standards, which was followed by publishing of the Submitting of Expression of Interests in February this year to select a private partner for the Anaklia Deep Sea Port development project.

In parallel with this process, the state established a company that started preparatory works for the construction of marine infrastructure (dredging, breakwater). The same company, as a capital contribution, will be given a part of the land plots required for the construction works of the first phase.

According to the decision of the Government, the winning investor/private partner in the declared expression of interest will invest in the company created jointly with the above-mentioned state enterprise, which will develop the Anaklia Port. Within the framework of public-private cooperation, the state will own 51% of the joint company, while the private partner will own 49%.

Implementation of the project will create thousands of new jobs, improve the socio-economic condition of the local population, increase the competitiveness of the transport corridor passing through Georgia, attract new cargo flows through the territory of Georgia, develop production and logistics services in the vicinity of the port, etc. The capacity of the first phase of the port will be 600 thousand containers, the state is also considering establishing of free industrial zone adjacent to the port.