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expected in 2020.
It will also make energy supply for consumers more reliable and achieve significant CO2 reductions by offering an alternative to more polluting energy sources, supporting the transition to low-carbon economies in line with the EBRD’s new energy sector strategy.
Nandita Parshad, EBRD managing director for sustainable infrastructure, said: “The Trans Adriatic Pipeline will set the foundation for an integrated gas market across southeastern Europe and enhance the region’s strategic status as an energy hub. We believe that gas remains an important transition fuel in this region that can help displace coal and facilitate penetration of renewables.”
With exit points along the route, TAP has the potential to support new gas infrastructures, integrating markets across Southeastern Europe and enhancing the region’s strategic status as an energy gateway, the EBRD said.
9.1.2 Automotive sector news
Leading Chinese carmaker Guangzhou Automobile Group will open an office in Georgia by the end of 2019, the Georgian government announced after Prime Minister of Georgia Mamuka Bakhtadze met Guangzhou Automobile Group chairman Zeng Qinghong on January 23.
After opening the office, the company will study the country's environment further prior to making decisions on investing and building plants. “Guangzhou Automobile Group is China's leading carmaker with more than 84,000 employees. The group manufactures passenger cars and commercial vehicles, motorcycles, and auto parts. It is also engaged in the areas of finance and insurance. The group's fixed capital exceeds 18 billion USD,” the PM’s press office said.
9.1.3 Transport sector news
The European Commission and the World Bank have announced the development of a new Indicative trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) Investment Action Plan. It identifies priority projects in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine. Georgia will receive €3.5bn of the programme’s €13bn, Georgia Today reported , quoting government officials.
“This is an important decision since Georgia’s integration into European structures is the main priority of our foreign policy... We welcome this move,” the Georgia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs David Zalkaliani stated
The programme is aimed at covering almost 100 projects involving investments of almost €13bn by 2030. It foresee a total of 4,800 kilometres of road and rail, six ports, and 11 logistics centres.
The agreement on the maps extending the TEN-T to the Eastern partnership countries entered into force on 9 January.
“The completion of the Indicative TEN-T Investment Action Plan is a joint commitment to deliver tangible results for citizens across the region. The Plan will assist decision-makers in prioritising strategic investments in transport infrastructure with the aim of completing the TEN-T network defined as one of the 20 deliverables for 2020 in the Joint Declaration of the last Eastern Partnership Summit in Brussels,” EU Commissioner for European Neighbourhood Policy Johannes Hahn said.
“Enhanced transport connectivity both within the Eastern Partnership region, and between the Eastern Partnership region and the EU has the potential to
39 GEORGIA Country Report March 2019 www.intellinews.com