According to Georgia’s Minister of Economy, Mariam Kvrivishvili, the state will be the 100% owner of the Anaklia Deep-Sea Port, while the terminals created within the port will be leased to international partners.

Kvrivishvili noted that several Western countries have expressed interest in this direction, but due to ongoing negotiations, she refrained from naming specific countries.

“From today, we are launching a very open and transparent process to have multiple strategic partners in the Anaklia Port - whether state representatives or private companies - that have experience in operating port infrastructure, that already have their own cargo flows or the ability to attract additional cargo, and that possess the necessary financial capacity to equip the port (terminal) infrastructure at a level suitable for high-quality operations.

No shares will be sold. This will be a Georgian port. The state will be the owner of the Anaklia Deep-Sea Port. No one else will be the owner of such a strategically important project for our country. It will be a Georgian port.

As for the involvement of international companies, they will participate directly in the management of the terminal infrastructure, which has nothing to do with ownership. The terminals that will be created in the port - both for dry bulk cargo and for container cargo - will be transferred under lease to our international partners.

There is interest from more than one Western country, not just a single one. I cannot confirm specifics at this moment because these are ongoing negotiations,” stated Mariam Kvrivishvili.