Prime Minister of Georgia Giorgi Gakharia visited Zugdidi today

Prime Minister of Georgia Giorgi Gakharia visited Zugdidi today. The Prime Minister together with the  State Representative of  Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti Alexander Motserelia, Minister of Internal Affairs Vakhtang Gomelauri and Mayor of Zugdidi Giorgi Shengelia have opened a new building in accordance with the European standards of fire and rescue service of the region.

From now on a new facility of European standards will service Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti region in cases of fire and emergency. Operation of a new station was officially launched by Giorgi Gakharia, Prime Minister of Georgia today.

According to the Head of Government of Georgia, it is a fully equipped and largest fire and emergency rescue facility with a full-range focus.

"I wish to initially apologize to Zugdidi residents as it took a long time to construct the facility. Unfinished construction site in the center of the city must have been irritating. Nevertheless, as promised, we started and completed it quickly. Today it is the most well-equipped and largest fire and emergency rescue facility throughout Georgia. Such one does not exist elsewhere in the country. It is most significant that facility officially launched today will be the most effectively operating one. It will daily have 20 fire-fighters in full readiness, along with Chemical Hazard Safety Supervision Units. Building will collate all the services required for emergency rescue. It will be the most effective tool for fighting fires first of all and for delivering all the emergency rescue services, of course, which fall within the mandate of this facility.

I also congratulate the staff of Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia, as this segment of citizen care was recently somewhat neglected, but we will decently respond to these challenges as well" stated the Prime Minister of Georgia.

A five-floor building in Zugdidi is designed for 16 fire-fighting and emergency rescue vehicles. It is the first building of its kind in the country, which has a helicopter pad. Building also includes an office space for the Chief Division of Emergency Response Management for Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti, along with a Coordination Division and a Regional Unit of the Supervision Department.

The state expresses itself through teachers, doctors, and decent law enforcements in order to fulfil its positive duty to future generations and pensioners, and next year's budget in its entirety builds on this principle, Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia stated in Zugdidi, during today's meeting with the region's pedagogues. According to the Head of Government, it is not coincidental that the first meetings of this kind is held with pedagogues, given the importance of their work. "We appreciate your most important role in raising future generations. The state has a direct obligation to you in that it must make sure that your everyday work is more effective and productive for the benefit of our future generations. The recent period of our work on budgeting has revealed several crucial principles to be taken into account next year. It is the state's positive duty to care for large social strata defining the state as such. Above all else, these are teachers, doctors, and law enforcements. It is no random principle. It is based on the fact that they are the ones called to care for future generations and our meritorious pensioners. Building on this principle, salaries of teachers will increase this and next year. We all understand that it is a drop in the ocean, though it certainly is another step forward. We understand well that it is not enough, and it all must continue, but we should also see to it that progress is achieved every year," the Prime Minister stated. The Head of Government spoke about challenges facing the field, and urged the pedagogues to speak out on their problems.

"Our conversation must be based on appreciating the great importance of what you do, also on the reforms implemented by the Ministry of Education. We are not here just to make conversation. You tell me frankly about a given problem and what you, ideally, want to see, and then it is my job to respond. In the same vein, my response will be straightforward, honest in explaining what can be done today, and what may be difficult to accomplish today, so we may have to wait until tomorrow. Unfortunately, our economy is facing quite serious challenges. Unfortunately, we do not live in a wealthy country yet. That takes years of joint efforts. It does not matter what job one does, serves as a Minister, as Prime Minister, or a teacher. Whose job is more important is a matter of debate. Time will tell," Giorgi Gakharia emphasized.

"A lot of work needs to be done to make sure that our healthcare system meets the demand of our country and our citizens" said Giorgi Gakharia, Prime Minister of Georgia to healthcare professionals in Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti today.

According to the Head of Government of Georgia, state has a positive obligation to have a certain responsible impact on significant groups of the society and they are primarily teachers, healthcare professionals and law-enforcement system representatives.

"What is happening in healthcare is of critical importance to us for several reasons. Primarily, it is due to the fact that you need to care for the health of our children and elderly. Secondly, of course, state spends significant resources on the social security component. Thirdly, nobody is content where we are today" noted the Prime Minister of Georgia.

In the opinion of the Head of Government of Georgia, conclusions drawn as a result of the meeting today are important for issuing instructions, making change happen and achieving specific outcome and output.

"No progress will be achieved irrespective of the volume of financial resources injected in the healthcare system by the state, if we do not maintain close contact with you and have no knowledge of the "average temperature" at your healthcare facilities. It is of great importance to us, as you provide daily care for the health of our citizens. Its importance grow over time and more challenges are faced towards this end. I wish to know what is happening in the region of Samegrelo, what are the challenges, what needs to be done specifically to make sure that our progress is attained with greatest certainty and at high speed. Let us keep away from creating excessive expectations by thereby maintaining those opportunities that we currently have. We need to be pragmatic and effective in achieving realistic results ahead" concluded the Prime Minister of Georgia.

"A lot of interesting things are happening in the country nowadays, but nothing has a significance, if a degree of your engagement is low in them" said Giorgi Gakharia, Prime Minister of Georgia to the youth from Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti region gathered at the Murati Residence.

According to the Head of Government of Georgia, it is of critical importance that voice of the youth is heard when the authorities plan various reforms, programs, budget or development of a region, future generation of the country should have a say in them.

"I am confident that you have all the resources in terms of intellect, ability and desire. You should never forget that no matter what is happening today in the country, whether you like it or not, all of this is yours. You are the future of this country. These are not nice words. This is an objective reality and it will be better for all if you get engaged in this process to the extent possible from today. It is our main goal and we need to do it together, as modern world is so globalized that freedom of choice exists between being a citizen of Georgia or a citizen of the world. We may have a great linkage with the place of birth and upbringing, but we need to strike a balance between innovations and traditions. We are a small nation and each step made towards future should be based on our past. Otherwise, there will be a risk of losing our identity and getting radically changed" noted the Prime Minister of Georgia.

Head of Government of Georgia underlined the significance of historic memory for the following process of development in the country and called upon the youth to speak openly about their vision of tomorrow.

"Nothing is of value if tomorrow or the day after, when you assume full responsibility over this country, if this consistency and memory is lost. Unfortunately, this country has had several occasions over the past 30 years when a gap occurred and these gaps were radical. It has changed many things. There are no closed topics and we can talk about anything that worries you. I am genuinely interested in what you think and how you believe this country should develop, where you see yourself and your role in 5-10 years, which responsibilities will you be able to assume today and tomorrow, what you think necessary to be done today to make sure that you assume full responsibility over the country, its development and future in 10 years" concluded the Prime Minister of Georgia.

Today Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia held a meeting with farmers and entrepreneurs in the village of Zeda Etseri, Samegrelo. The Head of Government spoke about the development of agriculture and tourism, and familiarized himself with the local entrepreneurs' initiatives and problems. According to Giorgi Gakharia, the further development of viticulture, alongside traditional horticultural activities, is key for boosting tourism. "Even smaller wineries are important to tourism. Foreigners already identify Georgia with wine. And on their 3rd or 4th visit, wherever they set their foot, they should be able to find good wine. Historically, this region also had its own varieties, and they can be revived. Agriculture and tourism can fast generate significant revenues for Samegrelo today. Everything is measurable, just like in your personal farm. The potential of hazelnut farming, for instance, is 100 million a year. With proper good work, hazelnut farming can generate about 100 million in a couple of years," Giorgi Gakharia stated. According to the Head of Government, significant work is in order in the region to create new tourism products. "Georgia's current tourism revenues have exceeded 2 billion USD. It is real money, of which probably less than 3% is Samegrelo's share, because more must be done to put in place tourism products. The local authorities are well aware of that. And if we manage to do something in the remaining 2 months this year, we must at least develop a decent plan to guide us next year. Hotels must be built in Zugdidi. Nokalakevi must be restored as soon as possible, and many other historical monuments, Routes like Martvili-Chkhorotzku-Tzalenjikha and Tzalenjikha-Zugdidi must be developed. Protected areas enjoy scores of visitors, and many opportunities exist in Samegrelo to allow tourists to spend 5-6 days. We need hotel infrastructure in Zugdidi and Poti, followed by Mestia, Martvili, and Chkhorotzku-Tzalenjikha. Family-run inns must be developed, and this way, step by step, revenue sources must be put in place in the region," Giorgi Gakharia stated. During the meeting with entrepreneurs, the Prime Minister emphasized the importance of Anaklia Port development. "Today, local youth ask me about the Anaklia Port, about employment, and so on. Of course, Anaklia is very important. I do not think that Anaklia is just a port, which it is not. The problem of this region is that Samegrelo has turned into a dead end in the past 30 years. And it is a problem. In terms of economic development, the biggest problem is that Samegrelo has turned into a dead end. And Anaklia, similar to railroad resumption after the restoration of territorial integrity, is one way to avoid this dead end. We all agree that everything cannot be done in 5 years, but Anaklia can be developed in 5 years. Substantially, it is not so much about how many people the port will employ as it is about this region no longer being a dead end. That is the key purpose of Anaklia," the Head of Government stated.

 Also the Prime Minister of Gteorgia observes rehabilitation works of Zugdidi Botanic Garden

Giorgi Gakharia, Prime Minister of Georgia observed the rehabilitation process of a botanic garden in Zugdidi today, which is approaching its completion.

Head of Government of Georgia was briefed about the project implementation and viewed the works carried out so far. Rehabilitation of the botanic garden in Zugdidi is implemented by the Municipal Development Fund (MDF) of the Ministry of Regional Development and Infrastructure of Georgia together with Zugdidi Municipality and National Agency of Cultural Heritage. Project envisages the rehabilitation of buildings located within the garden, water supply systems, sourcing of the artificial lake and arrangement of the core facility, along with visitor tracks.

Rehabilitation of the botanic garden in Zugdidi has been carried out on the grounds of design works, which were developed by the Museum Association of Georgia with funding provided by the National Agency of Cultural Heritage and Cartu Foundation.

Rehabilitation works will be completed in the coming days.