Infrastructure Constructors Association Chairman Irakli Giorgobiani says Georgia can ensure high-quality infrastructure and timely project delivery only if the state protects itself from anti-dumping practices and allows tender prices to be determined by a free market. He stresses that procurement procedures must fully align with international standards.
According to Giorgobiani, the current system - which uses an upper price ceiling and reverse bidding - limits competition and discourages qualified companies from participating. As a result, many tenders end up with only one or two bidders, preventing a healthy competitive environment.
The Association is pushing to remove the upper ceiling in tenders, arguing that this change would attract more experienced suppliers. Giorgobiani says a working meeting with relevant state agencies is planned soon and expresses cautious optimism that progress will be made in the reform process.
He adds that while removing the ceiling is essential, the government must also guard against dumping, which threatens both project quality and timelines. Giorgobiani believes the sector is now at the right moment to transition to Western standards, starting with a comprehensive update of procurement procedures.
