US Chargé d’Affaires: US has been one of Georgia’s strongest supporters and will remain so

“Today is a special day because it once again demonstrates US’s strong commitment to investing in sustainable initiatives. This is another important milestone in the long-standing partnership between the United States and Georgia, which has lasted for more than three decades,” said the Chargé d’Affaires of the United States in Georgia, Alan Purcell, during the ceremony marking the start of construction of a new berth at Poti Port.

According to him, the United States has been one of Georgia’s strongest and most reliable supporters for many years.

“It is a great honor for me to be here with you at this important event. Today is special because it once again demonstrates America’s firm commitment to investing in sustainable initiatives that will strengthen Georgia’s position as a natural transit hub of the Middle Corridor.

Georgian statesman Niko Nikoladze, under whose leadership the construction of the Poti Port was completed in 1907, had a clear strategic vision for Georgia’s economic development and its role in regional trade and transportation. Today’s event reflects that very vision and will elevate Poti’s capabilities to a completely new level.

This is another significant milestone in the long-term partnership between the United States and Georgia, which spans more than thirty years.

For years, Georgians and Americans have worked side by side for a better future and the prosperity of both countries. I am always impressed by the stories we hear from Georgian citizens about the positive impact of our partnership. This cooperation has significantly strengthened Georgia’s ability to protect its borders through improvements to border crossings and ports.

A peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan would also bring substantial benefits to the region and to initiatives such as the ‘Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity’ (TRIPP). It could further enhance regional connectivity, strengthen the economies of the corridor countries, and promote regional stability.

We also actively support private-sector initiatives that create long-term and sustainable solutions for the development of the Middle Corridor. For example, last year we hosted a trade mission of American companies exploring opportunities in energy, critical infrastructure, digital commerce, new technologies, transportation, and logistics within the context of the Middle Corridor.

The U.S. government has also committed financial resources to encourage such initiatives. Today, we celebrate the significant impact of American investment in the Middle Corridor through the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC). Over the past three decades, DFC has invested $800 million in Georgia’s private sector.

These investments include Poti, where we can clearly see the results of the $50 million DFC-funded project for the development of the new Port of Poti. We are pleased to mark DFC’s additional $25 million investment, which will support the continued expansion of the Middle Corridor’s logistics infrastructure.

I would like to emphasize that the United States has been one of Georgia’s strongest and most reliable supporters for many years, and we will continue to be so.”

For reference, the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) recently signed a second $25 million loan agreement with PACE Group to help complete construction of the second berth at the Port of Poti. This funding will support the further expansion of logistics infrastructure along the Middle Corridor.