PM Sets Army, Energy, Road Communication as Priorities

Georgia Prime Minister Zurab Zhvania announced on December 23 that the government expects USD 200 million revenue from the privatization process in 2005 adding that this financial income will be mainly distributed to the armed forces, energy sector and construction of roads.

?We should receive at least USD 200 million [from the privatization] next year and as the President has already announced part of this money will be spent on army,? Zurab Zhvania said.

He also stated that rehabilitation of the energy sector will be a priority. ?We need several tens of millions of [U.S.] dollars to secure electricity supply by autumn, 2005,? Zhvania said.

?By the end of the next year Georgia itself should produce 1.800 megawatt of electricity. This is the amount of electricity Georgia consumes on New Year?s eve,? he added.

Zhvania also said that part of the incomes from the privatization will be directed towards the rehabilitation of roads.