Georgia, Tbilisi, April 25 / Trend N.Kirtzkhalia /
President of Georgia Mikheil Saakashvili has attended the ceremony of start of construction of a joint venture for glass container production in Khashuri (region of Shida Kartli, eastern Georgia). The plant is built through joint investment.
Construction of a glass container factory is carried out by Inter Glass Georgia, 60 percent of which is owned by Azerbaijan's Inter Glass Azerbaijan, and 40 percent - Georgia's Gas Transportation Company. Azerbaijani company has carried out activities for four years in this direction.
The project cost is 30 million lari ($ 1 = 1.63 lari). The factory will employ 200 local residents.
The factory will operate mainly on local raw materials (80 percent).
The President of Georgia said the investments of Azerbaijan in Georgia are growing each year, and it allows the country to address issues of employment.
"We are grateful to investors for each such enterprise, as it provides jobs for our citizens," he said, noting that the work is the best weapon against destitution and poverty.
The factory will produce annually 100 million glass containers, Director General of Inter Glass Azerbaijan Alis Muradov told Trend.
"The construction project of the factory is being prepared by the Italian company together with the Georgian experts," Muradov said.
He said there is a high demand for this type of product in the region, and 20-30 percent of production of Khashuri factory will be directed to exports. The Georgian side hopes to increase the export potential of the country as a result of the plant by 10 million lari.
Construction of the factory will be completed within 18 months. The enterprise will meet international standards.