Prospects for the development of international road transport in Georgia are in the focus of the discussions of the participants of the study tour RoadShow

This Conference is included in the main programme of events envisaged within the study tour initiated by the Permanent Secretariat of the Intergovernmental Commission TRACECA in conjunction with the USAID Trade Program in Central Asia and the Partnership for Transport and Logistics in Central Asia.  

The Deputy Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia, Ms. Mariam Kvirikashvili, welcomed the participants of the Conference, highlighting some projects of great regional importance for the country. The Deputy Minister spoke about Georgia as a transport and logistics centre of the region and infrastructure projects fostering the development of this function. According to her, interest in the transport corridors of Georgia has increased in the region, and against this background, the development of transport infrastructure in the country is especially important. Mariam Kvirikashvili dwelled in detail on priority projects, such as the East-West highway, the railway modernization project, the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars line, as well as the port infrastructure of Georgia. The Deputy Minister also focused on the development of transport links with the European Union, including the intensification of freight and ferry traffic, which should increase the flow of goods from Asia through the South Caucasus and Georgia to Europe and vice versa. Georgia will be able to serve the increased cargo flow through its own transport infrastructure.

More than 50 participants representing state bodies and organizations, seaports and shipping companies, as well as representatives of road carriers and diplomatic missions from the countries of Central Asia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Turkey discussed problematic issues, looking for solutions for further study with the authorized bodies of the countries.

Throughout the entire period of the study tour, the agenda of the participants included issues related to road transport along the route Kazakhstan-Azerbaijan-Georgia-Turkey-Bulgaria.

The Head of the international department of the Customs Service of Georgia, Mr. Samson Uridia shared the experience of the customs authority of Georgia on the facilitation of border crossing procedures, which was of particular interest. In particular, information was presented on the application of the "one-stop-shop" principle, the "one place - many services" customs clearance area of e-services, the standard preliminary inspection procedure, the risk management process and system, the exchange of preliminary information, joint customs control of data transfer. In addition, the customs representative noted one remarkable fact. The average transit time of crossing is approximately 4 minutes, which is an indicative value which all countries of the Caucasus and Central Asia region should strive to.

The director of the Maritime transport agency made a presentation on the Georgian port system as a whole, the possibilities and development of transportation through the ports of Poti and Batumi, port connections, the issue of digitalization and other issues. She also noted several projects aimed at implementing green initiatives in the maritime transport and port sector in Georgia.

The conference participants also got acquainted with the transport infrastructure of Georgia, including the activities of the ports and customs checkpoints on the border of Georgia and Turkey "Sarpi".  

It should be noted that these events are supported by the Trade Programme in Central Asia of the US Agency for International Development and in close cooperation with the Union of Transport Workers of Kazakhstan KazLogistics.