BAKU, Azerbaijan, Feb. 8
By Maryana Akhmedova – Trend:
A number of new projects in different sectors will be implemented in Georgia’s Poti Free Industrial Zone (FIZ) in 2022, David Ebralidze, the CEO of FIZ, told Trend.
According to the CEO, Poti FIZ has carried out several infrastructure developments, such as the expansion of the railway-customs terminal, the coverage of which has been completely replaced with fibrous concrete, the maintenance of internal roads and drainage systems, and the renovation of the main terminal as well, to increase the capacity and capability of the FIZ.
Further speaking, Ebralidze mentioned several initiatives to be launched in 2022, among which a project in the textile sector, one of the leading sectors in the FIZ, will be developed. The enterprise of 6,500 square meters territory will employ about 500 people. The exports here will be oriented towards the EU and CIS countries. The initial amount of the investments is 15 million Georgian lari ($5.1 million).
“At this stage, the building is being renovated, after which the equipment will be delivered and installed. As for the direct release of the production process, it is scheduled for February 2022,” the CEO noted.
Another important initiative of the current year for Poti FIZ is the car parts production facility on a 5,000 square meter land plot. The plant will be built by SDT Georgia LLC, a joint venture between China and Italy. The components will be produced from Georgian and foreign raw materials and exported to the EU countries, China, the US, and Mexico.
“At the first stage, up to 60 residents will work at the plant, and next year their number will increase to 100 people. The construction of the plant is carried out with Italian-Chinese investments with the estimated investment volume of 10 million Georgian lari ($3.4 million),” Ebralidze said.
Poti FIZ also eyes to equip the copper and non-ferrous metals terminal at the beginning of 2022. The investment cost of the project is $1 million, the CEO said.
“Both local raw materials and raw materials from Central Asia and Latin America will be imported, while exports will be carried out to African and Asian countries. Concentrates will be imported/exported both by sea and by rail. Also, about 20 local employees will work at the terminal,” he added.
According to David Ebralidze, in total, Poti FIZ plans to invest 26 million Georgian lari ($8.9 million) and employ about 500 residents in two years (2021 and 2022).
The CEO noted that Poti FIZ directly borders the Poti Port, the main crossroads between Asia and Europe, which determines the strategic position of the FIZ in the region.
“Sustainable infrastructure development, the construction of a new deep-water port, and an increase in the number of flights are necessary prerequisites for the creation of an international transit and logistics hub,” Ebralidze said.
Meanwhile, Poti FIZ became the first industrial zone established in the Caucasus and has already become one of the most important platforms and links in the supply chain in the region.
---
Follow the author on Twitter: @mariiiakhm