Page 42 - GEORptSep19

9.1.2 Automotive sector news
Georgia’s Prime Minister Mamuka Bakhtadze on April 8 stated that a factory to produce electric vehicles will be built in Kutaisi. The plant will be developed in partnership with China’s Chang’an automaker, and will be used as an export platform for European market.
The capacity of the factory is going to be 40,000 cars per year, 50% of which will be intended for the domestic market and 20,000 will be exported to the EU. "This is a great success. Electric cars manufactured in Georgia will be the main export product on the European market from Georgia. We will make 4 models of electric cars, which will be affordable for all citizens of Georgia”, the PM said.
The country will be able to sell electric cars from 2020.
Kutaisi, a city in west Georgia, is one of the most interesting and beautiful cities in Georgia. It was the capital of Georgia in the middle ages. Kutaisi served as the legislative capital of the country in 2012-2018.
Chang'an is considered to be one of the "Big Four" Chinese automakers. With an output of 3 million units in 2016 it ranked fourth among China's automakers by production volume. The comp[any designs, develops, manufactures, and sells passenger cars under the Chang'an brand and commercial vehicles sold under the Chana brand. It operates joint ventures with Ford (Changan Ford), Groupe PSA (Changan PSA), Mazda (Changan Mazda) and Suzuki (Changan Suzuki) which produce foreign branded passenger cars for the Chinese market.
9.1.3 Transport sector news
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $415mn loan for the construction of a 23-km highway between Kvesheti and Kobi in Georgia’s mountains along the North-South Transport Corridor. The project will cost $550mn.
The route, important for freight transport in the region including in neighbouring countries, is frequently closed during the winter.
The project is part of a large-scale plan. Officials aim to use it to help improve the transport network and establish Georgia as the region's trade and tourism hub.
42 GEORGIA Country Report September 2019 www.intellinews.com