The holding of the Maritime Forum is of particular importance against the backdrop of new challenges in the global economy, when the role of diversification of routes, sustainability of supply chains and reliable connections between Europe and Asia is growing, - Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, said in his speech at the Georgian International Maritime Forum in Batumi.

According to him, Georgia has been a place where East and West, Europe and Asia, met for centuries, and today it is an integral part of the Middle Corridor, which has great potential and strategic significance.

“I am pleased to host representatives of partner states, international organizations and maritime professionals today in Batumi at the Georgian International Maritime Forum.

The Maritime Forum is of particular importance against the backdrop of new challenges in the global economy, when the role of diversification of routes, sustainability of supply chains and reliable connections between Europe and Asia is growing. Georgia has been a place where East and West, Europe and Asia, met for centuries, and today we are an integral part of the Middle Corridor, which has great potential and strategic significance. According to the World Bank, with appropriate investments and increased efficiency, cargo flows in the Middle Corridor could triple by 2030, and transportation times could be halved.

We have developed a long-term plan to seize this opportunity. By 2032, we plan to mobilize approximately 7 billion USD for the development of basic transport and logistics infrastructure.

Our 10-year plan envisages doubling the capacity of railways and halving the time for cargo transportation, doubling the capacity of ports and tripling the capacity of international airports.

This vision has already been followed by concrete steps and significant investments. We have begun the historic modernization of Georgian Railways - this year alone, more than one billion GEL will be invested in the modernization of railway infrastructure and rolling stock.

75% of the construction of the East-West International Highway has already been completed,” the Prime Minister noted.

According to him, the results of the investments made and the consistent policy of the Georgian Government are reflected in the sector’s indicators.

According to the Prime Minister, the further development of port capacities is of particular importance against the backdrop of increasing cargo flows, and the Anaklia Deep-Sea Port project, the construction of which is actively underway, serves this purpose.

"The results of the investments made and the consistent policy of the Government of Georgia are reflected in the sector's indicators - in 2026, we have record dynamics in both the maritime, rail, and aviation sectors. With the introduction of a single-window system in the maritime sector, ship servicing procedures in ports have been digitized and further simplified.

Against the backdrop of growing cargo flows, the further development of our port capabilities is of particular importance. The Anaklia Deepsea Port project, the construction of which is actively underway, serves precisely this purpose. We will develop the Anaklia Port based on the Landlord Port Model, within the framework of which the state provides the main strategic port infrastructure, and the private sector - the development and operation of terminals. This approach balances the strategic interests of the state and the participation of the private sector, creates the opportunity for broad regional and international participation, and ensures fair access to port infrastructure," the Prime Minister said.