Finance Ministry to Start Negotiations on Launching Tbilisi Urban Railway Project

“The Ministry of Finance of Georgia will start negotiations with the European Bank Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and European Investment Bank (EIB) on launching the Tbilisi urban railway project,” stated Ivane Matchavariani, Minister of Finance of Georgia, at the briefing held after the government sitting, noting that the project was discussed by the government earlier today.  

The Minister stated that the project is the initiative of Tbilisi City Hall and represents an important infrastructural junction.

“This is a major project, envisaging development of the urban railway in the Samgori-Lilo direction, which is to have nearly seven stations. What's more, within the scope of the initiative, it is planned to establish a connection with Rustavi through the urban railway,” said Matchavariani, noting that the approximate cost of the project is to amount to $174-218 million.

“We know that the EBRD and EIB are interested in this project. At this stage, Tbilisi City Hall has asked the Ministry of Finance to engage in the details of the project. Even though were are considering obtaining loans, this is the project, also enabling gaining grants,” noted the Minister.

Translated by Ketevan Kvaratskheliya