MINISTRY OF ECONOMY
AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
OF GEORGIA

Members of the Inter-agency Commission on Transport and Logistics Development of Georgia discussed the report on the progress within the national strategy on transport and logistics and the action plan for 2023-2024. The Deputy Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development, Guram Guramishvili chaired the session. The First Deputy Minister of Regional Development and Infrastructure, Ilia Begiashvili and the Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs, Giorgi Butkhuzi also participated in the session.

A presentation about the activities carried out in 2023-2024 was introduced at the session. It was noted that important decisions were made in the direction of increasing the efficiency and competitiveness of the transport and logistics sector, sustainable development of transport sectors, safe connections and corridors, as well as training and retraining of appropriately qualified personnel. The attention was focused on the reform of the railway transport sector, which began in 2023. Positively were evaluated such important steps as adoption of law on protection of seafarers' rights, legislative changes to regulate inland waterways transport, implementation of maritime single window system, etc.

Large infrastructural projects whose implementation will significantly increase the transit function of Georgia and help attract new cargoes to the Middle Corridor were also discussed at the session. The conversation covered the Anaklia Deep Sea Port project, the modernization of the railway (which is at the stage of completion), as well as the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway and others. It was noted that in 2023, a 27-km section of the Ricoti Expressway, which is part of the East-West International Highway, was opened, while up to 472 km of international and domestic highways were rehabilitated and repaired. 

The members of the commission also discussed the current situation in the region and the development prospects of the Middle Corridor. According to the given statistics, in 2023 the transport sectors of Georgia (automotive, railway, civil aviation) transported 27.2 million tons of international cargo, which is 1.6% more than in 2022. The aforementioned dynamics continued in the period of January - August 2024 and the amount of cargo transported in the mode of international transportation amounted to 18.7 million tons, which is 3.7% more than in the same period of 2023.

The members of the commission also discussed the current situation in the region and the Middle Corridor development prospects. According to the given statistics, in 2023 the transport sectors of Georgia (automobile, railway, civil aviation) transported 27,2 million tons of international cargo, which is by 1,6% higher figure compared to 2022. Same dynamics continued during the January - August 2024 and the amount of cargo transported under the mode of international transportation amounted to 18,7 million tons, which is by 3,7% higher number than of the same period of 2023.

Georgian seaport, according to statistics, the total number of processed cargoes in the seaports of Poti and Batumi in January-August 2024 amounted to 8,9 million tons, which is by 8,3% more than in the same period of 2023. It is worth noting that the increase in cargo was recorded in both ports.

The Commission paid special attention to the number of containers transported in the Middle Corridor from China or to China, via Georgia, during the January-August 2024, which was 6964 TEU, which is by 728,1% more than in the same period of 2023. It was noted that until 2023, containers were mostly transported in the transit mode (over 90%) through Georgia, however, the number of containers imported from China was increased sharply this year, and the share of imports and transit was approximately 50%-50%.

"All the decisions of the Government of Georgia, which are implemented aiming at development of transport and logistics infrastructure, contribute to the international recognition of our country as the transport hub of the region. We are actively working to attract additional cargo in the middle corridor, which will be a significant income for the local transport and logistics sector," – the Chairman noted at the session of the Commission.