WB approves $372 million financing for Georgia's Middle Corridor
According to the World Bank, the project will finance upgrades to rail
freight capacity, modernisation of key road segments in the country,
and targeted reforms of rail and road institutions, alleviating
infrastructure bottlenecks along the corridor.By enhancing transport
connectivity, simplifying market access, and reducing logistics
expenses for businesses, farmers, and communities, the TC-GATE Project
is expected to directly benefit over 900,000 people and help generate
jobs across logistics, transport, agribusiness, and related services,
both directly and through wider multiplier effects along the
corridor.“These investments will help Georgia realise its full
potential as a critical regional transit hub bridging Europe and Asia,
while responding to growing demand along the Trans-Caspian Transport
Corridor, reflecting evolving global trade flows and need for
diversified supply chains,” said Rolande Pryce, World Bank Regional
Director for the South Caucasus.He also added that by supporting
modernisation of the key rail and road links and reforms aimed to
strengthen institutions that manage them, the World Bank Group,
jointly with development partners, is helping Georgia and other
countries along the corridor create tangible benefits for citizens
through better connectivity, safer and more resilient transport, more
jobs, and stronger economic opportunities.According to the World Bank,
the total cost of the large-scale TC-GATE Project is over USD 750
million, of which this new World Bank Group operation finances USD 372
million, and the remainder is co-financed by the Asian Infrastructure
Investment Bank (AIIB) and the Asian Development Bank (ADB). This
demonstrates strong multilateral support for Georgia’s connectivity
ambition and the development of the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor
broadly.“Through the new project, Georgia is strengthening its role
as a reliable and competitive gateway between Europe and Asia, and
together with our international partners we are committed to building
a modern transport network that will serve the region for decades to
come. These investments are not only important for our country’s
economic development and for the creation of new opportunities for our
citizens, but also for supporting growing international trade flows
and more diversified, secure supply chains, as the upgrades to
Georgia’s railway and road links will improve Middle Corridor
efficiency and strengthen regional connectivity resilience,” said
Lasha Khutsishvili, Minister of Finance of Georgia.According to the
World Bank, in particular, the TC-GATE Project will help modernise
Georgia’s rail freight services by financing new, energy-efficient
electric locomotives to replace an ageing fleet, and strengthening JSC
Georgian Railway’s operational efficiency, financial sustainability,
and governance. The upgrades are expected to enhance locomotive
availability to 95%, improve service reliability for shippers, and
support a 20% increase in revenues. Additionally, they will lead to a
reduction of over 2.3 million tons in net emissions.“To improve road
connectivity, the project will finance the construction of two
four-lane road segments in Georgia’s strategic corridor and
agricultural production region – Kakheti, specifically the
Badiauri–Chalaubani–Bakurtsikhe sections, as well as a road
connecting Gurjaani to Telavi. This will reduce travel times between
Telavi (Eastern Georgia) and Poti Sea Port (Western Georgia) by about
43 minutes and elevate road safety standards. Designed to meet
climate-resilient standards, the road works will include measures to
minimise disruptions caused by floods and landslides. This will
enhance the reliability of year-round market access for people and
goods. To strengthen Georgia’s road sector institutions, the project
will support the digitisation of road asset management, the deployment
of Intelligent Transport Systems through the establishment of a
National Highway Control Centre (NHCC), the implementation of
climate-resilient systems, and initiatives to ensure long-term fiscal
sustainability.The TC-GATE Project will also support economic
empowerment for women entrepreneurs in the Kakheti region and fund
analytics to explore greater private sector participation
opportunities in road management,” reads the World Bank’s press
release.
1780485358