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30mn lari of tourism projects announced for Georgia’s Adjara region
the same period in 2019. The media outlet said France was also unhappy with Georgia.
The EU Member States are reportedly actively discussing possibly threatening a Visa Suspension Mechanism, which allows for reintroducing visas in case of a rise of more than 50% in illegal stays or asylum applications with low approval rates.
Georgia was granted visa-free travel with the EU in 2017, allowing its citizens to travel to the Schengen area for up to 90 days for business, tourist, or family purposes. The EU-Georgia Visa Liberalization Dialogue was launched in 2012. The European Commission’s assessment of the fulfillment of visa liberalisation requirements, published on August 4, 2021, said Georgia was taking actions to address the issue of unfounded applications for international protection.
But the Commission called on Georgia for further efforts on addressing the asylum applications, as well as in the areas of combatting money laundering, corruption and organised crime.
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Gharibashvili and Adjara government chairman Tornike Rizhvadze announced on August 18 five new tourism projects for Adjara’s Shuakhevi municipality, with a total investment value of around GEL 30mn ($9.6mn).
One of the projects involves the construction of a dual zipline in Chikhuri. GEL10mn will be spent on the zipline, envisaged as the longest in Europe. Another project is the Chvani Gorge Tourism Development Plan, which includes new trails, visitor centres, scenic view spots and a demonstration village showcasing authentic mills. The project's value is estimated at GEL10mn.
Another project, in Gomarduli resort, seeks to build toboggan and aerial lifts, to breathe new life into the ski resort. The project's value also amounts to GEL10mn.
Tourist shelters and camping sites are under construction on Mount Jvarimindori in Shuakhevi, with a budget of GEL250,000. Expected to be completed in late October, the project there will put in place a mountain link between Shuakhevi municipality and Guria province.
In the same vein, pedestrian/bike trails stretching across Keda and Shuakhevi municipalities are also under construction to support the development of adventure tourism. The project budget for the trails is about GEL500,000.
9.1.6 Infrastructure and construction sector news
Georgia to start Anaklia deepwater port project from scratch
Georgia’s Ministry of Economy has asked international consulting company Maritime & Transport Business Solutions (MTBS) to update the freight forecast and business model for the Anaklia deep sea port project on the Black Sea coast. The update is expected to be completed within eight to nine weeks.
The government terminated its contract with the Anaklia Development Consortium (ADC) in early 2020, citing the investors’ failure to finance their intended $2.6bn project and find a strategic partner.
The government was set to start the process of selecting a new potential investor for another attempt at rolling out a project in the near future, Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili said in March.
MTBS will also develop a new marketing strategy and select the optimal model of public-private partnership as part of the contract signed with the Anaklia Deep Sea Port Development Agency.
Construction of the deep sea port started in 2017.
58 GEORGIA Country Report November 2021 www.intellinews.com