On 7^th of December 2022 KfW Development Bank, on behalf of the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany, signs financing agreements of a total of 55 million EUR with the Government of Georgia, represented by the Ministry of Finance of Georgia for the fifth phase of the Municipal Infrastructure Batumi project.

For more than 16 years the project with a financing volume of around 138 million EUR was implemented for the creation of a modern water infrastructure in Batumi.

As a result, more than 200,000 people who previously had access to drinking water only for a couple of hours a day, are now continuously supplied with hygienically safe drinking water. Additionally, with the construction of a modern sewer system and wastewater treatment plant, wastewater is now professionally drained and cleaned. A new stormwater system and new stormwater pumping station have furthermore significantly reduced the risk of flooding the city center. Even dolphins have been seen from the beach again, which speaks for the improvement of see water quality.

The newly signed financing agreements will ensure that the improved supply of drinking water can be extended for the growing population of Batumi. An old drinking water treatment plant will be rehabilitated and adapted to the modern standards and the wastewater treatment plant will be expanded and equipped with sludge treatment and nutrient elimination systems.

The Government of the Federal Republic of Germany supports the project through KfW with a 53 million EUR loan and 2 million EUR grant for accompanying measures to support the municipal water supply company “Batumis Tskali”.

Mrs. Nino Tandilashvili, Deputy Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture held a meeting with Mr. Juergen Keinhorst, Representative of the German Federal Ministry of Environment, Nature Protection and Nuclear Safety.

During the meeting, the parties discussed current projects and issues of future cooperation.

The Deputy Foreign Minister spoke about the importance of partnership between the two countries and highlighted reforms implemented in the forest sector, climate change and biodiversity fields with the support of the German government.

Mrs. Tandilashvili stressed the importance of the recognition of Georgia's European perspective by the European Council and expressed hope for the timely granting of candidate status to Georgia through close and effective fulfilment of commitments, through close coordination and cooperation with the partner countries.

According to Mr. Juergen Keinhorst, Georgia's environmental and agricultural development progress is visible, which is an additional motivation for the German government to strengthen its support.

The Heads of the relevant agencies and representatives of the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture attended the meeting.

Source: https://mepa.gov.ge/En