Georgia, Tbilisi, Feb. 5 / Trend, N. Kirtskhalia /
During a working visit, chairman of the Adjara government Archil Khabadze visited the Batumi Sea Port (BSP) and the Batumi Oil Terminal (BOT). As reported by BSP officials, the purpose of the visit was to introduce the company's activity as well as discuss plans to increase and attract cargo traffic, increase the volume of investment and develop social support programs.
Within the visit, Khabadze visited the territory of dry cargo and oil berths, was updated on current projects, read the terms of employment and had a conversation with port and terminal staff. The head of Adjara Autonomous Republic praised the new leadership of the company and the operation of the port and oil terminal and also noted the strategic importance of these facilities for the region and for the country as a whole.
Khabadze was welcomed by BSP and BOT director general Talgat Baitaziyev, who thanked the head of government for his visit and expressed his deep appreciation to the staff of the port for their efforts and work that lead to a record in transshipment volumes of dry cargo in winter - more than 200 000 tons.
Baitaziyev noted the paramount importance of each port employee's welfare, reiterated news of an increase in the minimum monthly salary of workers and announced plans to purchase buses for the free transportation of port staff. In his speech Baitaziyev also mentioned existing port infrastructure projects, the most important of which is the construction of a new building and a skyway.
"Today, many Batumi residents and visitors are concerned about the ineffectiveness of the Batumi railway crossing and problems at the entrance to the city. Moreover, these delays hinder the development of the port. Therefore, we decided to build a new skyway, which will relieve traffic, significantly reduce problems at the entrance to the city and also help increase the efficiency of the port's activity. Also, following construction, we plan to pass this skyway as a gift to the city of Batumi" Baitaziyev said.