Levan Vepkhvadze, Executive Director of the Business Association of Georgia (BAG), emphasized the need for Georgia to accelerate the pace of infrastructure development to preserve its regional transit potential. Speaking to BMG during the Silk Road Forum, Vepkhvadze underscored that in an increasingly competitive global environment, Georgia must move faster to remain a key player along the Middle Corridor.
“In a globally competitive environment, it is clear that we need to accelerate the pace to be even more competitive,” Vepkhvadze said. When asked whether Georgia risks falling behind on major infrastructure projects, such as the Anaklia Deep-Sea Port, amid the expansion of alternative routes, he acknowledged that faster progress is essential. “We must accelerate to avoid losing the cargo and transit potential that we currently have. Of course, this requires coordinated work with private investors. Strong relations between governments are also crucial for reaching such agreements, and I believe these goals can be achieved,” he noted.
Vepkhvadze stressed that strategic cooperation between the public and private sectors will be vital to ensuring Georgia’s continued role as a regional logistics hub. He pointed out that the government’s infrastructure priorities, including port, rail, and energy projects, must align with global transport trends to maintain competitiveness within the Middle Corridor network.
The BAG Executive Director also highlighted the importance of international platforms like the Silk Road Forum in promoting Georgia’s economic development. “Such forums are very important for discussing topics that help Georgian businesses attract investment, whether in logistics, energy, or other rapidly developing sectors,” he said. “Equally important is the participation of officials and partners from countries that are potential investors. These discussions allow us to identify opportunities and work toward shared regional growth.”
