Tbilisi, Georgia – On Monday, September 10, 2018 at 10:30 a.m., Anaklia Development Consortium’s (ADC) CEO Levan Akhvlediani and USAID Zrda’s Chief of Party, Brian King signed a Partnership Agreement within the Anaklia Community and Economic Development Program. According to the agreement, ADC and USAID Zrda invest $2 million to promote the regional economic development of Anaklia/ Zugdidi and its surrounding areas. USAID Mission Director Peter Wiebler, ADC Founding Partner Mamuka Khazaradze, and other public and private sector representatives attended the signing ceremony.
The new project will focus on 3 major directions: Increasing the competitiveness and growth of MSMEs in the region; Building a workforce qualified to meet the market demand for both port operations and the wider economy in the region; Facilitating the development of community infrastructure necessary to meet Anaklia and the region’s needs. USAID Zrda and Anaklia Development Consortium are investing $1 million each in the joint project.
According to USAID Mission Director Peter Wiebler, “This partnership symbolizes the U.S. government’s commitment to building self-reliant communities across Georgia. It also represents our intent to engage with the private sector to achieve our shared goals. We are excited to work with Georgian and U.S. private partners as visionary and ambitious as the members of the Anaklia Development Consortium. While international donors and government help set the foundation for economic growth, the collaboration and commitment of private sector actors make such growth durable and sustainable.”
According to ADC Founding Partner Mamuka Khazaradze, “Wellbeing and prosperity of the people of Anaklia and surrounding areas has been among our most important goals since the very beginning of the Anaklia Port project. We are happy that this purpose will now be realised with this new, very significant project that we commence in partnership with USAID Zrda. I want to express my gratitude towards USAID and the U.S. Government for being the part of this important initiative, and overall, for their expressed support in development of Anaklia and the Anaklia Deep Sea Port.”
Anaklia Community and Economic Development Program will provide support to communities in West Georgia to maximize their ability to capitalize on the coming economic development opportunities presented by the $2.5 billion Anaklia Deep Sea Port mega project, which is a joint venture of a Georgian-U.S. consortium. The new deep-water port is envisioned to transform Georgia into a regional economic hub and a key link and transport corridor between Aisa and Europe. Construction of Georgia’s first deep sea port started in December 2017, and the first phase of the project – construction of the primary container terminal – will be completed by the end of 2020, which also coincides with the timeline of the joint development program between USAID Zrda and ADC.
About Anaklia Development Consortium: ADC is a Georgian-American consortium, mandated to develop the Anaklia Deep Sea Port in accordance with the Investment Agreement relating to the build, operation and transfer of the Anaklia Deep Water Black Sea Port dated 3 October 2016 between ADC and the Government of Georgia. ADC’s vision for the Anaklia Port is to create a world class port complex for Georgia and establish Anaklia as a focal point for trade to and from Central Asia and on the New Silk Road trade route between China and Europe. ADC’s goal for the Anaklia Port is to improve the port infrastructure in Georgia, thereby providing reduced costs for those who use the port and subsequently improving economic opportunities regionally and domestically. As part of its corporate social responsibility strategy, ADC is committed to promote the regional economic development of Anaklia and its surrounding areas, facilitate the development of community infrastructure necessary to meet Anaklia’s needs, as well as to support growth of MSMEs in the region and to develop and sustain skilled workforce. For more information, please visit: http://anakliadevelopment.com/
About USAID in Georgia: About USAID in Georgia: During the past 26 years, the American People have invested more than $1.5 billion in Georgia through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). USAID projects are designed to support Georgia’s transition to a free and prosperous democracy and include initiatives to accelerate economic growth, develop democratic institutions, and improve health and education. USAID advances global security and economic prosperity, and promotes a path to recipient self-reliance and resilience. For more information, please visit: http://www.usaid.gov/Georgia.
About USAID Zrda Activity in Georgia: The USAID Zrda Activity in Georgia is a five-year program designed to promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth in 81 communities of five regions of Georgia by improving MSME growth, increasing productivity of rural households, facilitating market linkages between producers and buyers, and promoting local economic development by establishing and strengthening networks. As a result, Zrda will create at least 2,400 jobs, increase sales for at least 860 MSMEs, increase incomes of 13,200 households, and generate measurable improvements in community resilience. For more information on Zrda, please visit: https://www.facebook.com/zrda.ge