BAKU, Azerbaijan, Feb. 28
By Tamilla Mammadova – Trend:
The Georgian government is not going to place the Georgian Railway company for privatization, but intends to increase its efficiency, the Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development Natia Turnava said, Trend reports citing Georgian media.
The state-owned company Georgian Railway JSC currently operates railways and trains and sets tariffs for the transportation of passengers and goods.
Earlier, the Minister of Finance of Georgia Ivane Machavariani announced that the company could be sold.
"The government is not going to allow the privatization of the railway. Such an option is not being considered," Turnava said.
Cargo turnover of the Georgian Railway in 2019 increased by 9 percent compared to 2018.
In 2012, the company's cargo turnover amounted to 20.1 million tons, and then began to decline annually. In 2018, freight turnover reached 10 million tons, and last year, for the first time over the years, it grew to 10.8 million tons.
The increase in cargo turnover, according to the Georgian Railway JSC, is due to the growth of both wagon and container traffic. In addition, since 2018, the Georgian Railway has been transporting wheat and coal from Kazakhstan.
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