ADB Georgia Director says Georgia “key country” for regional connectivity, cross-border transport corridors

Lesley Bearman Lahm, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) country director for Georgia, on Monday highlighted Georgia as a key country for regional connectivity and cross-border transport corridors, particularly within the framework of the second CAREC corridor and the Middle Corridor, which connect Central Asia, the South Caucasus, and Europe.

In an exclusive interview with Business Insider Georgia, Lahm noted that Georgia facilitated cargo flows between the Black Sea and Caspian Sea regions and beyond, while also serving as a major logistics hub, where improved roads, ports, railways, and border infrastructure generate local added value through transport services, trade, tourism, and employment.

“ADB’s investments in the East-West highway corridor, including sections linked to international trade routes, directly support this role. Projects such as the Batumi Bypass Road and other strategic highway sections reduce transport congestion, enhance safety, and shorten cargo transit times”, she said.

“At the policy level, ADB further supports reforms aimed at improving transport efficiency, strengthening customs coordination, and enhancing cross-border logistics - all of which are critical for building tangible infrastructure connectivity”, Lahm continued.

She concluded that Georgia can benefit from diversified trade routes, particularly at a time when global supply chains are striving for greater resilience.

“The continued development of multimodal transport - the efficient integration of roads with ports and railways - will be essential for Georgia to fully capitalise on this opportunity”, Lahm said.