Administrative Border Line Shopping Center to Open in Spring

The state owned investment Partnership Fund announced the up-coming conclusion of the construction of the multifunctional shopping center in the Zugdidi district, Western Georgia. Within the center will be local and international brands, as well as various profile organizations. It is expected that the center will help develop the region’s economy and improve the condition of local residents.

The new shopping center is located on an area of 10,000 square meters and consists of 10 separate buildings which will include retail and wholesale stores, furniture and technical shops, a hypermarket and an agricultural market. A center for the sale of agricultural products is also due to open there.

“It’s not just a shopping venue but also a multifunctional center. There will be an entertainment center, playgrounds for kids, cafes, a veterinary clinic, financial and banking facilities, car services, a post office, a community center of the Ministry of Justice, as well as offices,” said Natia Turnava, Deputy Executive Director of the Partnership Fund. “It is particularly important that in addition to international companies here will be presented local ones that will contribute to the development of the economic situation in the region.”

The construction of the shopping center began in September 2015 and ended within 5 months. About 300 local citizens were involved in the construction process, and it is also expected to create up to 1000 jobs after its opening.

Further, the center is able to support the development of Western Georgia’s economic potential and deepen trade relations; the project also has an important strategic function. Rukhi village, where the center has been built, is located 600 meters from the Inguri Bridge, which is considered as the administrative border between Georgia and Abkhazia.

“The population of Abkhazia will be able not only to come here and use all the services of the multifunctional center but also to get a job here,” said Levan Shonia, the Governor of Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti region.

The construction in Rukhi village was carried out on the initiative of the Georgian government and cost up to 15 million Lari. According to Turnava, this is a very strategic and important project, and thus, the government is ready to invest in it.

The official opening of the center is planned for the spring of 2016.

Eka Karsaulidze