First Vice PM says Anaklia port project progressing well, no halt expected

Levan Davitashvili, the First Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia, on Tuesday dismissed statements made by American congressmen regarding the Anaklia deep sea port project as being “far from reality” and lacking factual basis.

In his remarks, Davitashvili addressed concerns raised about the ongoing investor selection process.

“The statements made regarding the Anaklia port are far from reality. The investor selection process is currently underway - nothing has been handed over to anyone. Moreover, the development structure of the new port, which we defined from the very beginning of the selection process, fully incorporates the interests of the state. Therefore, any discussions of risks or potential threats mentioned in these statements are entirely baseless and unfounded”, the Minister said.

He criticised the congressmen’s remarks, suggesting they were made without sufficient information or proper assessment.

“The US Ambassador was provided with full information about the project as early as last year. It is unfortunate that despite this, inaccurate statements have continued to be made. We have once again shared full information with the Ambassador. However, alongside the executive branch, there is also the legislative branch. Sharing information with the Ambassador does not mean that every politician has immediate access to it, nor does it mean that each of them interprets it with the same level of professionalism. Therefore, it is crucial for official bodies to receive accurate information and assess it objectively and professionally”, he continued.

Davitashvili further emphasised that the Anaklia port project was one of the key cornerstones of Georgia’s economic development.

“Increasing Georgia’s transit and transport function is a vital national priority. The development of the Middle Corridor aligns with both our interests and those of our international partners. There is a strong convergence of interests here. The US Embassy has full information on the project, and there are no grounds to speak of any threats. On the contrary, the project is beneficial not only for Georgia but also for countries in South-East and Central Asia, Europe, and the United States. It is a platform where everyone’s interests can be realised, but first and foremost, the project will serve Georgia’s national interests. We will strictly follow the legal framework, principles, and priorities defined by our legislation. This does not contradict the interests of any party”, Davitashvili said.

He also addressed the ongoing selection process for a private investor. He explained that it was a long-term and complex process.

“The commission has had several questions regarding the proposals submitted by the Chinese-Singaporean consortium, which is currently a finalist. Clarifications are underway, involving the review of a highly complex, multi-thousand-page document covering numerous technical and commercial aspects”, the official pointed out.

Davitashvili highlighted that the document was being examined in cooperation with consultants, and communication with the bidder was ongoing.

“There have been multiple requests to extend deadlines because the company requires time to prepare and submit clarifying information for each inquiry. Therefore, an additional period was granted, and the final decision will be based on how closely the consortium’s final proposals meet the initial requirements”, he noted.

The Minister further emphasised that selecting a private partner was not a simple task and that the Government’s expectations remained realistic, a position echoed by the Government’s experienced Dutch consultants.

“That’s why we initiated the parallel development and construction of the port - an essential decision to avoid delays. We are building the necessary infrastructure while simultaneously pursuing a private partner. If selected, the partner will work under strict terms, ensuring responsibility and quality. It’s one thing to select a partner - it’s another to define the terms of cooperation with the state”, he said.

“Despite the fact that the project has become the subject of political speculation and international attention, the Anaklia port project is progressing dynamically and positively, and the Government maintains realistic expectations, including with regard to timelines”, he noted.

“We believe that the port will be operational by 2028, as previously announced. This is a multi-phase development process, and we are confident in its success. A construction partner has already been selected, and construction is ongoing. The project is moving forward regardless of whether a private partner is secured, which is a crucial detail”, Davitashvili added.

He further highlighted that the project must be completed - it is both a pledge to the public and a strategic decision made by the Georgian Government.

“The state has already made commitments and started investing in the project. There is no scenario in which the project will be halted. It will be a sustainable project, backed by comprehensive studies. Whether implemented solely by the state or jointly with a private partner, it will be successfully executed. This is a strategic project of national importance”, the Minister said.

“Therefore, the excessive focus on who the private partner will be is somewhat exaggerated. This is not about US-China competition - we are talking about Georgia’s specific national interests. Within this framework, we aim to cooperate with all partners, including China, the US, Europe, and our neighboring countries”, Davitashvili concluded.