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makes their project in principle a competitor to the Anaklia Development Consortium (ADC) deep water port project further south on the Black Sea coast at Anaklia, although that project is designed for significantly larger capacity.
However, the Poti port expansion needs extra land to build the new terminal. The lad was subject to an administrative dispute between the economy ministry and APM. On August 30, the ministry dismissed Poti Port's complaint that requested officials annul the preliminary construction permit.
On January 28, APM Terminals released another announcement on the project. The company argued that the project would significantly increase turnover at Poti.
“The Poti Sea Port Expansion Plan, which was submitted to the government of Georgia, includes two phases of construction and development. The first phase involves the construction of a 1,700-metre-long mooring and multi-berth facility with dimensions of 400 meters [length] - 13.5 metres [depth]. The second phase envisages the 300-metre-long container wharf. The infrastructure will double the Poti port's container throughput to above 1 million TEU per year," said Keld Christensen, APM terminal general director in the release.
Christensen said the company is "confident in the support of the government". According to the company, the estimated construction time would be 24-30 months and the project "requires close cooperation with the Georgian government and their support to obtain all necessary permits in a timely manner".
9.1.6 ​Health sector news
Georgia has reported its first case of coronavirus, local media said on February 26.
Georgia is the first Caucasus country to confirm a case of the deadly virus, which has swept through nearby Iran in recent weeks killing 19 people of all age groups. Azerbaijan, meanwhile, has reportedly quarantined more than a dozen people in the southern city of Jalilibad following suspicion they were carrying the virus.
Health Minister Ekaterine Tikaradze said an infected Georgian man, who was travelling from Iran via Azerbaijan, was hospitalised upon entry to the country. "He was immediately taken to hospital from the border checkpoint," she said. The minister added the man had arrived back in Georgia via Azerbaijan on a 12-person minibus. The other passengers on the bus are also now believed to be in isolation.
"Coronavirus positive was only in one case," Tikaradze added.
Earlier, Georgia closed its borders to Iranians entering, following the outbreak in that country, but remained open to citizens of nearby Azerbaijan and returning nationals.
“The government of Georgia is in constant communication with the Iranian authorities in order to receive the updates about the situation on the ground and the current preventive measures there,” the ​foreign ministry said​ in a statement.
9.1.7 ​Agriculture sector news
Swiss chocolate producer Chocolats Camille Bloch plans to set up hazelnut plantations in Georgia to produce crops dedicated to the production of its leading Ragusa brand, according to Agenda.ge.
46​ GEORGIA Country Report​ March 2020 ​​www.intellinews.com