RAKIA Georgia Free Industrial Zone
RAKIA has signed a management concession with the government of Georgia to develop a free and industrial zone near the existing port of Poti. This port which is one of the oldest (150 years) and the most famous sea ports on the Black Sea handling both dry and wet cargos is a profitable port and is on an expansion mode. Poti Free Industrial Zone is the first in the south Caucasus region and it lies on the historic “silk route” linking the east to the west.
RAKIA has acquired 400 hectares of land around the port, of which 100 hectares will be used to build a new port and rest will be used for a state-of -art free industrial zone. According to the development project plan, the Poti Free Industrial Zone will be spread over 3.0 million sqm for industrial use.
Currently land is being reclaimed and infrastructure in the form of roads and warehouses is being built which will form the backbone of the zone. Poti FIZ looks at attracting close to a billion dollars in FDI into Georgia and is optimistic about providing employment to around 16,000 people in the near future. RAKIA is looking to invest funds to the tune of USD 200 million to bring the project into fruition.
Poti FIZ will boast of superior competitive advantages such as strategic location, market proximity, good infrastructure and skilled workforce with many new modern manufacturing enterprises, container stock yards and logistical centres.