A new state-owned company planned for road maintenance in Georgia is raising concerns in the private sector, which says the move could create unfair competition and increase risks for existing contractors.
According to Tite Jishiashvili, director of Caucasian Infrastructure Technology, road maintenance is currently handled by multiple private companies across different regions through tender-based contracts. He argues that introducing a state operator signals potential risks for businesses already investing in equipment, workforce, and long-term operations.
Jishiashvili said state involvement in maintenance could also create uncertainty about the future division of roles between public and private sectors, warning that it may lead to broader state participation in infrastructure beyond maintenance. He added that companies that recently invested heavily in machinery and capacity could face financial risks if demand for private services declines.
The government plans to establish a state company to handle road maintenance and emergency response, initially focusing on the 105-kilometer Gori–Argveta section of the East-West highway, including the Rioni (Rikoti) corridor. Private contractors currently carry out maintenance work through regional tenders.
