French agencies activities, new ADB loan, Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway project discussed by Parliament’s Foreign Relations Committee

The Foreign Relations Committee of the Georgian Parliament on Tuesday discussed and supported ratification of activities of French agencies in the country, a new loan from the Asian Development Bank for Georgia’s healthcare sector and the development of a Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway line project.

The first topic was related to an amendment to the May 13, 2014 agreement between the Georgian and French governments on the establishment and activities of the French Development Agency and the Society for Promotion and Participation of Economic Cooperation in Georgia. 

Giorgi Kakauridze, the Deputy Finance Minister of Georgia, said the amendment involved integrating Expertise France - the French international technical cooperation agency - into the group of the French Development Agency and granting it a special status similar to that of the Agency in Georgia.

The Committee also discussed the loan agreement between Georgia and the Asian Development Bank for a programme for strengthening the domestic healthcare sector. 

It will involve a €46.27 million loan by the Bank for the programme aimed at improving governance, financing efficiency and service quality in the sector.  Kakauridze explained the loan consisted of two tranches, with the first, of €23.13 million, to be transferred this year and the second in 2025. The loan has a duration of 15 years, including a grace period of three years.

During the Committee meeting, Guram Guramishvili, the Deputy Economy Minister, submitted a protocol on amendments to the 2017 agreement between the governments of Georgia and Azerbaijan for the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway line project.

The amendments pertain to the financing and design of the railway section from Marabda in Georgia to Kartsakhi near the border of Turkey.