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• Air Astana switches to summer schedule!

  According to the administration of the Air Astana, company Air Astana has switched to its 2023 spring-summer schedule.

  From the summer period, the flights between Tbilisi and Almaty will be operated daily.

  As of June starts a seasonal service between Batumi and Almaty 5 times a week and Tbilisi-Astana 3 times a week on a comfortable Airbus A320/A321.

  "Air Astana has switched to a spring-summer operating schedule effective from 26th March to 29th October 2023and during this period will steadily increase the number of international flights.

  Services from Almaty to Antalya (Turkey) will be increased to ten flights a week, whilst those from Astana will increase to seven services a week. Almaty to Tbilisi (Georgia) services will be increased by seven flights a week, those from Astana to Tbilisi increased by three flights a week. Almaty to Tashkent (Uzbekistan) up to fourteen flights a week and Astana-Tashkent to five flights a week. Almaty to London service will be increased up to five times a week, and Almaty to Bishkek (Kyrgyzstan) to nine flights a week. In addition to a weekly flight to Chengdu, Air Astana will serve Beijing daily from Almaty and up to twice a week from Astana. Almaty to Istanbul will be served eleven flights a week, whilst those from Astana up to seven flights a week and from Atyrau three flights a week. Services from Almaty to Baku (Azerbaijan) and Dushanbe (Tajikistan) will be increased to up to four flights per week.

  The spring-summer operating schedule also includes the relaunch of seasonal services between Almaty to Bodrum (Turkey) and Heraklion (Greece), as well as those from Almaty and Astana to Podgorica (Montenegro), operating three times a week, and from Almaty to Batumi (Georgia) operating five times a week. Air Astana will also continue operating direct daily flights to Thailand with three times a week flights from Almaty to Bangkok and four times to Phuket.

  Detailed flight schedule information and ticket purchase can be undertaken at the Air Astana website, ticketing offices, call-center and IATA accredited travel agencies" - reported in a company press release. 

• Georgia: EBRD to help improve solid waste management in Kobuleti and Batumi

  The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is committing new funds to address solid waste treatment issues in Batumi and the wider Adjara region in Georgia. A sovereign loan of up to €19 million for Adjara Waste Management Company will help tackle some of the most pressing environmental challenges faced by the tourist region’s inhabitants and visitors. 

  The first committed tranche of up to €3 million will be used to purchase new solid waste management equipment. This will enable the borrower to start new landfill operations and, consequently, stop waste being disposed of at the current non-European Union (EU) compliant dumpsites. The second uncommitted tranche of up to €16 million will be used to build a new waste treatment plant, allowing the company to recover recyclables and divert waste sent to the new sanitary landfill. 

  The investment will address the priority needs of Batumi and the wider Adjara region. This includes stopping the disposal of waste at existing dumpsites in Kobuleti and Batumi, with the latter being the largest and most dangerous polluter in Georgia. “These dumpsites are active sources of land, water and air pollution, impacting the ecosystem of the region in particular, and the Black Sea in general,” says EBRD. 

  Find out more

  Press release

• German Government allocates 55 million EUR to support the rehabilitation of a drinking water treatment plant in Batumi

  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”.

• Irakli Garibashvili: Ambassadori Batumi Island’s large-scale investment project is set to further bolster Batumi’s solid international reputation and Adjara’s economic progress

  Yesterday we are launching a unique, global-standard project that is truly exceptional in our region. This project covers two artificial peninsulas, Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili stated in his speech at Ambassadori Batumi Island’s time capsule burial ceremony today.

  According to the Head of Government, at least 100 million USD will be invested in this project, and 2,000 local residents will be employed.

  “I would like to greet all of you with enormous respect and congratulate you on this day, because today we are launching a unique, global-standard project that is truly exceptional in our region. This project covers two artificial peninsulas, and one island will be built to bring together recreation and wellness, sports, educational, residential, and tourism directions, and I am confident that this investment project, the largest in the region, will further bolster Batumi’s solid international reputation and Adjara’s economic progress. I would like to greet the project’s initiator and our investor, Ambassadori Group’s leader, Mister Keburia and his family. I would like to thank Ambassadori Group, because this company has already invested tens of millions of dollars and, without exaggeration, has created truly unique projects in various Georgian regions, including Tbilisi, Kakheti, and Adjara. And now we have a project that is unique for our country and the entire region. Thus, I would like to thank the investor. At least 100 million USD will be invested in this project-this is what has been announced at the initial stage-and 2,000 local residents, our citizens, will be employed.

  “Before obtaining a permit, the company and its founder completed all procedures, carried out the project’s assessment, engaged relevant research institutes, and this project has been developed by top-notch professionals. Generally, I would like to say that this project meets all relevant environmental and safety standards, which is very important to Batumi’s residents, to the residents of our Adjara.

  “Once again, I would like to thank Ambassadori Group, the project’s authors and initiators. This truly unique project is our pride and joy. On behalf of the Government, I would like to thank the group once again and pledge our full support.

  “Today we need such projects, such large-scale projects, to be implemented in the country. The fact that the group has decided to launch and carry out a project of this magnitude reiterates that unique conditions are put in place in Georgia today.

  “As you know, our economic growth is in double digits, while the whole world is facing enormous challenges. Recession is almost everywhere, but we have been able to maintain, above all else, peace, stability, and strong economic development. What our country needs today is precisely the implementation of projects of this kind, strong economic advancement and progress, and this, of course, will create more jobs, greater revenues, wealth, and will bring greater prosperity to our citizens. This is our common wish, task, and dream. Once again, thank you. I wish you success,” the Prime Minister stated.

  The event’s invited guests were also addressed by the Vice Prime Minister/Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development Levan Davitashvili, the Chairman of the Government of Adjara, Tornike Rizhvadze, and the Cofounder of Ambassadori Batumi Island, Fridon Katamadze.

  Ambassadori Batumi Island’s large-scale project seeks to create two ultramodern artificial recreation and welfare peninsulas and one island and to put in place relevant infrastructure. Under the project, modern-standard commercial, entertainment, sports, educational, wellness and health, residential, and tourism and recreation infrastructure will be built. The project is fully implemented with private investments. To carry out the project’s initial phase, Ambassadori Group will invest 100 million USD, and construction work will employ 2,000 people.

  The event was attended by representatives of executive, legislative, and local authorities, and of Ambassadori Group.

  Press Service of the Government Administration

   

• The 6th Batumi Summer University 2022 – Nuclear Security after Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine: New Challenges and Risks

  The impact of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on the nuclear security and nonproliferation order was the primary debate topic of the 6th Batumi Summer University on Nuclear Security and Nonproliferation Issues. Discussions were centered on the conflict’s consequences for national, regional, and global security.

  Internationally renowned academics and researchers have been lecturing and facilitating debates in Batumi every summer for almost seven years. We are proud of our collaboration with academics and learners from Stockholm University, Kings College London, GIPA, Odessa Mechnikov National University, Caucasus University, the University of Georgia, and European University (Georgia), Kutaisi State University, Ilia State University.

  The Batumi Summer University on Nuclear Security and Nonproliferation was founded in 2015 and serves as a forum for networking, learning, and exchange among experts in the nuclear industry, decision-makers, academics, and students. It is a yearly, worldwide event with its headquarters at the Batumi State University. The Civil Council on Defense and Security, Batumi State University, and the Swedish Radiation Safety Authority are working together on the proposal.

  By U.S. Embassy Tbilisi