PM Wants Free Economic Zone in Samegrelo

Prime Minister Zurab Zhvania said at the session of the Parliamentary Committee on Budget and Finances on May 3, that he will propose to set up a Free Economic Zone in a West-Georgian regio of Samegrelo, bordering Abkhazia.

Zhvania said the proposal is aimed at “overcoming high unemployment” and economic depressio in the region.

An issue of the free economic areas was discussed by the Georgian Parliament twice – in 1997 and 2003. Both times the issue was lobbied by Adjarian leader Aslan Abashidze who wanted to see the area established in Batumi. However the parliament did not endorse the proposal.

Prime Minister said on May 3, that the creation of free economic zone in Adjara is not discussed this time. “This can be considered only in the regions where the local authorities have no problems with the government,” he added.