Companies of high-ranking officials won tenders, Transparency International Georgia

According to Transparency International– Georgia, companies owned by high-ranking officials are among the winners of tenders announced by the Ministry of Regional Development and Infrastructure in 2013-2014.

The organization’s report says the Ministry of Regional Development and Infrastructure is one of the country's largest buyers in terms of construction.

According to the report, the Ministry spent approximately 346.5 million GEL on construction efforts in 2013-2014.

Among the winners are companies owned by Deputy Agriculture Minister Davit Galegashvili and MP Sergo Khabuliani.

The report says that only one company had ties with a political party among the companies that got state procurement contracts in 2013-2014. Namely, the owner of “Kavkazenergo’’ ltd, Zviad Meskhi, donated 30,000 GEL to the Georgian Dream.

The organization claims that the “Serpantini’’ Road Construction Company is connected to a few high officials as per media reports. The company won 6 tenders over two years and profited 23.8 million. 51% of company shares is owned by Tamar Jankarashvili, which according to media reports, is the mother of former Deputy Interior Minister Gioirgi Zedelashvili. In 2011-2012 the company won 8 more tenders, though the total value was only 1.7 million GEL.