“This is an unprecedented-scale project that could make an unprecedented contribution to our economy; GEL 11 billion will be the contribution to the economy, and this will be followed by indirect economic effects that could, in all likelihood, exceed GEL 20 billion,” Georgia’s Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze has stated.

In Kobakhidze’s assessment, this is a project of national importance, which the opposition should not dare to speculate about, though, according to the Prime Minister, they are doing so nonetheless.

“Ultimately, all of this is orchestrated from one hand, just like everything else when they oppose matters that are beneficial to the country. There, too, everything is usually orchestrated from one hand, and here it’s apparent that everything must be orchestrated from one hand as well. Even though, at first glance, there’s a motley crew speaking with the same absurd message, it’s evident that, ultimately, there’s a kind of coordination.

I’ve explained approximately what might be behind this, including recalling a specific ambassador’s conversations about how someone was a good pro-Russian and someone wasn’t a good pro-Russian, then, apparently, someone also became a good pro-Russian, and thus the overall spectrum was arranged.

There are certain things you shouldn’t speculate about. It’s understandable that in politics there’s government and opposition, and, generally speaking, it’s in the opposition’s interest to criticise everything as much as possible to strengthen their own political positions, but when it concerns matters of common national importance, I believe that even when you’re in opposition, you should show restraint,” Irakli Kobakhidze stated.

In the Prime Minister’s assessment, the Eagle Hills project is a matter of common national importance, and not a narrow political issue, because we discuss an unprecedented investment.

“This isn’t just another investment project where, for example, one hotel is being built and that’s fine, but it’s just one hotel, and you might come out with your critical opinions about something. This is an unprecedented-scale project that can make an unprecedented contribution to our economy. We’ve expressed this in figures; we’re talking approximately about GEL 11 billion being the contribution to the economy. Our economy will become slightly more than GEL 100 billion by the end of this year. Imagine what an additional 11 billion lari is for an economy of this scale, from just one project alone.

We’re talking about one project and only the direct economic effect. This will be followed by indirect economic effects, which could, with high probability, exceed 20 billion lari.

This isn’t just another investment project about which you could have a casual attitude. We’re talking about an injection of this scale into our economy. Regarding the budget, our allocation will generate a minimum of 700 million lari annually solely from this project. Of this, GEL 500 million will be paid in taxes, with at least GEL 200 million on average each year in dividends, of which our country will receive a 33% share.

There will be an average of 24,000 temporary jobs during the construction phase, with approximately 8,000 permanent positions remaining afterwards. Once again, this demonstrates the significant contribution the project makes to our economy, employment, and public finances. This isn’t just another project open to speculation.

Generally speaking, you shouldn’t dare, but there are certain topics where such speculation is unthinkable, yet they don’t refrain from such actions. They’re talking complete absurdity. It’s a flawless project. A project might be good but have certain shortcomings, excessive development might be involved, and so on. This project is flawless in every component,” the Prime Minister noted.