“Focus made in the State Budget for 2019 towards the development of infrastructure, fully responds to our national interests and challenges faced in the economy of Georgia” stated Mamuka Bakhtadze, Prime Minister of Georgia in his speech delivered at the Presentation of Projects Planned for 2019 by the Ministry of Regional Development and Infrastructure of Georgia (MRDI) today.

As Head of Government of Georgia noted, particular importance is given to the equitable development of every region of the country and accessibility of services in the same quality as offered in large cities of Georgia.

“Regional development has always been a distinct priority for us and our political team, It is well reflected in the State Budget parameters. In contrast with 2012, we have actually tripled the budget allocations towards this end, while increased earmarking for regions by 20 percent in the State Budget of 2019 in comparison with the previous year. Thus, almost 2 BLN GEL will be spent on the development of infrastructure in 2019” added the Prime Minister of Georgia.

According to the Head of Government of Georgia, any additional investment in the regional infrastructure of the country translates into a new life for regions and additional opportunities for the citizens of Georgia.

“Inclusive growth is a key goal of our economic policy. I have in mind the type of growth, which applies to each and every citizen of the country. It is achieved only through the right and equitable regional development. It is particularly gratifying for me that investments in the education infrastructure have been significantly increased and doubled in the State Budget for 2019. Several dozens of new schools will be built in every corner of the country in 2019 and it is a very important part of the reform, which we are implementing in the education system. At the same time, we have other significant infrastructure priorities, such as water and sewage systems that need to be streamlined, along with the construction of new roads for many cities and villages of the country” noted the Prime Minister of Georgia and added that development of infrastructure will remain to be the absolute priority for the Government in the coming years.

Prime Minister of Georgia once again stressed the significance of engaging Georgia in the development programs of new trans-European transport system by the European Commission and noted that it will lead to a greater integration of the country with European transport systems.

“Very vital support has been obtained several days ago, when the European Commission endorsed a new programs for the development of Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T), which assigns a very considerable place and role to Georgia. It is indeed a very big victory and I wish to once again congratulate all with this. It means that we will be able to develop infrastructure in Georgia together with our European partners in the coming years and our country will get better integrated with European transport systems” added the Prime Minister of Georgia.

Head of Government of Georgia expressed his sincere gratitude to Maya Tskitishvili, Minister of Regional Development and Infrastructure of Georgia, along with her team, all the employees of the MRDI, donor agencies and construction companies that are trying hard – round the clock – to complete the projects with high quality and within the due deadlines.

Head of Government of Georgia noted that 2018 was a successful year for Georgia and everyone will once again get reaffirmed in 2019 that infrastructure is developing with very high speed in the country.

According to the Prime Minister of Georgia, all the main large infrastructure projects will be completed through 2022, including those to be carried out with sophisticated and complex engineering solutions.