Finance Minister Voiced Governments Concern Over Free Trade Zone

(Tbilisi. April 23, 2003. Civil Georgia) – At the Parliamentary session today, which discusses the draft law on creation of the free trade zones in Georgia, Finance Minister Mirian Gogiashvili said that the implementation of the proposal ?is untimely.?

?I am not against of the principle of the free trade zone, however the government is against of creation of the zones at this stage as it would cause the numerous problems,? Mirian Gogiashvili said.

Members of the Revival faction, which is the initiator of the proposal claim that the government?s opposition towards the draft law is political motivated.

?Aslan Abashidze [leader of the Adjarian Autonomous Republic] lobbies the draft law, that is why the government opposes the draft,? Jemal Gogitidze of Revival faction said at the session today.