Odile Renaud-Basso, President of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) decalres in a conversation with BMG, that it is very important for Georgia to become a regional transport and logistics hub, especially now, when international carriers are actively trying to diversify cargo routes amid the Russia-Ukraine War.
"International carriers are increasingly looking to diversify their transit routes, with demand for transport through middle corridor increasing significantly. Development of the middle corridor could indeed open new trade opportunities for the Caucasus and for Central Asia. It would increase growth potential of countries along the corridor and support development of logistics and transport hubs in the Caucasus.
The President of the EBRD notes, that the Bank is interested in expanding Georgia’s potential as a regional link through further modernisation of its infrastructure.
"We are supporting the Georgian government to turn the country into a regional logistics hub through increased intra-regional connectivity.
For instance, the Bank is providing support to the Maritime Transport Agency to develop and implement a Port Community System. We are also supporting digitalisation of Georgian Railway and improvement of its business-relevant e-services. We also stand ready to invest in the enhancement of the country’s sustainable infrastructure.
EBRD is also actively supporting its clients, private or sovereign, involved in linking Central Asia to the Caucasus. Be it a storage facility, near Baku, port infrastructure in Georgia, or railways in Kazakhstan", - Odile Renaud-Basso noted.
The EBRD has invested almost €5 billion in Georgia to date through 270 projects, with more than 80% of those in the private sector. The banks' key areas of investment include the financial sector, sustainable infrastructure, manufacturing and services, and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). During my visit to Tbilisi, I will sign new agreements with our longstanding partners in financial and healthcare sectors.
