Georgian Ministries gain international recognition for Kakheti development project

Two of Georgia’s Ministries have been recognised from more than 80 contestants from Eastern Europe and Central Asia for successfully implementing joint projects that offer immense benefit to the local population.

Georgia’s Finance Ministry and Georgia’s Regional Development Ministry were today awarded the World Bank Vice Presidential Team Award for Europe and Central Asia for jointly implementing the Kakheti Regional Development Project.

The project aimed to raise the living standards of the Kakheti population by developing and rehabilitating infrastructure, promoting small business and developing tourism and agricultural sectors.

The award was presented by World Bank Regional Director for the South Caucasus Henry Kerali to Georgia’s Minister of Finance Nodar Khaduri and Minister of Regional Development Elguja Khokrishvili today.

The Georgian team was among 16 winners chosen from 80 contestants from Eastern European and Central Asian region.

Finance Minister Khaduri noted the World Bank named Kakheti Regional Development Project as one of the most successful projects, which was led South Caucasus Sustainable Development Program Coordinator Ahmed Eiweida.

"I am happy that our under our Government this project has gained World Bank’s approval. I want to thank our partners for the recognition our colleagues from the Ministry of Regional Development and Infrastructure have received,” Khaduri said.

"It is important to note we have already started new projects in Imereti, Mtskheta-Mtianeti and Samtskhe-Javakheti. I hope that we will continue this successful cooperation with the World Bank,” he noted.

In response, Kerali stressed the importance of this project for the local population.

"We have gathered to celebrate the success of the Kakheti Regional Development Project. We actively cooperate with Georgia. For the last few years, the number of tourists has significantly increased in the whole country and in Kakheti as well. It is important, that through this project, new economic opportunities have been created for the local population,” he said.

The awards ceremony was held in Tbilisi and was attended by the country’s Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development Giorgi Kvirikashvili.