$1.08bln to be invested in Georgia's infrastructure in 2023

Up to ₾3 billion ($1.08bln) will be invested in infrastructure development across Georgia next year with the construction of highways remaining a priority, infrastructure minister Irakli Karseladze said on Monday while discussing the next year's state budget.   

"This is a historical maximum", said Karseladze on the amount of money allocated for his office in the budget, adding “all major sections” of the long-running project for the east-west highway would be completed by late 2024.

Next year over ₾1 billion ($0.36bln) will be spent on the construction of roads. At this stage, construction works are underway on 118 km of highways [...] Current large-scale projects ensure the development of the Middle Corridor of the international highway, which, based on recent events, is gaining even more relevance", Karseladze said in reference to the initiative of involving Georgia in the international drive for alternate supply and logistics connections in the wake of the war in Ukraine. 

In addition, ₾520 million ($186.74mln) will be allocated for the development of water supply infrastructure, which the minister said was "truly unprecedented and a historical maximum”. Karseladze added that the budget would enable provision of 24-hour water supply in all cities of Georgia by the end of 2025.

Currently, water supply and drainage projects are underway in 201 locations to “finally improve” water supply to about 600,000 people, the minister said.