Ruling party official: Georgia regaining historic role in Middle Corridor connectivity

Levan Machavariani, the First Deputy Chair of the ruling Georgian Dream parliamentary faction, said on Tuesday that Georgia was regaining its historic role in ensuring connectivity along the Middle Corridor.

Speaking at a plenary session of Parliament, Machavariani highlighted Georgia’s economic growth, declining poverty, tax reforms and the country’s expanding role as a regional transit hub.

“Georgia’s economic growth stands at approximately 8%, based on data for the first eight months of the year. This is an unprecedentedly high figure for the region and a level of growth that we have maintained over the past five years. This, of course, is reflected in our country’s budget and the well-being of our citizens”, Machavariani said.

He also pointed to the downward trend in poverty, noting that the number of people living below the poverty line had declined significantly in recent years.

According to Machavariani, economic growth has been accompanied by measures aimed at reducing the tax burden on citizens. These include changes to property taxation and an amnesty covering fines imposed and left unpaid due to failure to make pension fund contributions.

“Strengthening Georgia’s transit function and developing infrastructure projects are increasing the country’s strategic importance within the Middle Corridor”, Machavariani continued.

“Georgia is regaining its historic function in terms of connectivity along the Middle Corridor. We are developing infrastructure - highways, airports, port facilities and railway infrastructure. All of this is being done not only for today’s generation, but also for our children and future generations”, Machavariani said.

He further stressed the importance of protecting Georgia’s sovereignty, national identity, traditions and culture.

“We are protecting our homeland, language and faith. Georgia has never been as sovereign and independent as it is today since regaining its independence. Everyone can see the amount of work and struggle it has taken to achieve all of this. The absolute majority of our citizens correctly understand that the only guarantee of peace and stability in this country is the Georgian Dream, under the leadership of Bidzina Ivanishvili”, he concluded.