Georgia keeps Anaklia Port under state ownership

The Anaklia Deep Sea Port will remain fully state-owned, with 100% of its shares belonging to the Georgian government, and no shares will be sold under the project, Georgian Economy and Sustainable Development Minister Mariam Kvrivishvili stated, according to Report's Georgia bureau.

Kvrivishvili noted that the port is a strategic asset and will stay under state ownership. She added that international companies will only be involved in managing terminal infrastructure.

"This will be Georgia's port, owned by the state. No one else will own it. International companies' participation will be limited to managing terminal infrastructure, which has nothing to do with ownership," the minister emphasized.

Kvrivishvili further stated that container and dry cargo terminals at the port will be leased to international partners. Several Western countries have already expressed interest in participating in the project, though negotiations are ongoing and specific names were not disclosed.

Kvrivishvili also pointed out that the government is launching an open and transparent process to select strategic partners.

According to her, both state institutions and international private companies with experience in port infrastructure management, cargo flow organization, and financing will be able to take part.