How can poverty be overcome in Georgia?
Economy Minister shares views at parliament

Georgian Economy Minister Natia Turnava has presented her cabinet’s vision and programme to overcome poverty in Georgia and also answered questions of opposition MPs in the parliament of Georgia today.

Turnava said that she had selected two priority topics to talk about at today’s meeting –  overcoming poverty by stable economic growth and a more coordinated investment policy and more transparent decisions with investors and businesses.

Turnava said that the economic growth rate of Georgia is one of the “most dynamic in our region” and will exceed over 5 per cent annual growth rate in the next ten-year period, “which is quite a high indicator.” 

But we understand that this is not enough and … it is more important for the public to feel the benefits of economic growth in their families rather than in the numbers”, said Turnava.

Later Turnava talked about some of the planned activities that would further improve the living conditions of the citizens of Georgia.

Supplying Georgian villages with natural gas

Turnava said that the government of Georgia will continue to provide natural gas supply to areas of the country where natural gas is still not available.

The first issue which is of high importance for the public is a three-year plan of gas provision. The plan covers 2019-2021 years and is financed from the state budget with 209 million GEL. As a result 1,300,000 families living in more than 26 residential areas will be supplied with the natural gas”, said Turnava.

Natia Turnava answering questions of opposition MPs in the parliament of Georgia. Photo: Ministry of Economy.

Turnava said that work will be started in 60 residential areas this year and among them will be such villages (Chkhorotsku, Tsalenjikha, Orpiri) where people had never had access to the natural gas.  

Investment policy of the Ministry of Economy

Turnava said that investment policy will become more “proactive that is determined by new trends”.

Turnava said that the Ministry of Economy will make proposals for the investors of the sectoral as well as of the regional context.

We will offer investors to invest not only in the specific field … but to invest also in the regions of Georgia, for example in Kutaisi, Rustavi, Ambrolauri, etc.”, said Turnava.

Broadband internet to cover 727 residential areas

Turnava believes that in order to achieve high economic growth, contribute to regional entrepreneurship, European type education in the municipalities, it is important to create infrastructure for high quality fixed internet connection.

She said that 727 residential areas of Georgia, where about 200 people live, will be covered with broadband internet.  

Turnava also announced that Pshav-Khvesureti and Gudamakhari areas of Georgia will also have access to the internet.

Today internet is available for up to 88 per cent of the country. We will cover the rest 12 per cent with broadband internet network”, said Turnava.

Anaklia port project

Opposition MPs raised the question about Anaklia Deep Sea Port Project and recent misunderstandings regarding the construction of another deep sea port in Poti which was considered as a competitive project.

Turnava said that the state and the ministry will never make any decision that will harm Anaklia project.  Photo: Ministry of Economy.

Turnava answered them that Anaklia port project is a priority and “we have not received any decision that will harm this project”. She repeated that the document issued in connection with Poti port was not a construction permit, but a document on land use conditions.

• Click here to read about Anaklia and Poti ports case.

Nobody can damage the Anaklia project, because it is supported by the state. This is not just a commercial project, but very important one for our country’s safety, for using our country’s strategic location,” said Turnava.

She recalled the MPs how the state supported the Anaklia project that included 300 million GEL worth of infrastructure, 70 million GEL for buying back privately owned land plots and with additional 100 million GEL worth of funds.

The summer of 2017 was the first deadline for the Anaklia Development Consortium to start its work. Since that time, the government has postponed the deadline for several times as took into consideration the request of the investor. The state has waived the penal sum of the investor in the amount of more than $11 million due to violation of deadlines”, Turnava said.

Turnava stated that if the government ever considers construction of alternative port it will be in the context of Anaklia port project as the state and the ministry will never make any decision that will harm Anaklia project.