MANILA, PHILIPPINES (11 November 2021) — The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a €101 million loan (around $119.9 million) to build and upgrade new and existing infrastructure in Georgia and enhance services in urban centers to boost economic opportunities and improve quality of life.
“Georgia has made significant economic gains over the past years, but growth has been unevenly distributed and severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic,” said ADB Director General for Central and West Asia Yevgeniy Zhukov. “This project will support Georgia’s recovery from the pandemic and help make its cities more livable, inclusive, and climate-resilient.”
ADB’s Livable Cities Investment Project for Balanced Development is expected to benefit over 1.5 million people in the capital Tbilisi and across all regions in Georgia.
The project will upgrade city centers, public spaces, parks, and public transport to improve mobility. The project will construct libraries, e-learning centers, kindergartens, sports complexes, and other community buildings. It is applying the ADB-developed Inclusive Cities Guidelines for improving accessibility and ensuring a seamless built environment for older persons, persons with disabilities, women, and children.
The project will also support the rehabilitation of cultural sites, historical town centers, and other tourism facilities. Transport systems such as the Tbilisi Metro will be upgraded to improve connectivity and boost tourism—a key driver of Georgia’s economic growth.
“With its location at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, rich natural resources, and unique cultural heritage, Georgia is well-positioned to emerge as a global tourist destination post-COVID-19,” said ADB Principal Urban Development Specialist Ramola Naik Singru. “This project will help make Georgia an even more attractive destination, and boost business opportunities for local communities.”
The project will strengthen the government’s capacity to manage regional and local economic development through trainings and workshops.
Georgia joined ADB in 2007, and the bank has since become one of the country’s largest multilateral development partners, with committed loans amounting to $3.92 billion and technical assistance projects worth $28.9 million. ADB’s development priorities in Georgia include expanding trade, creating jobs, and combating poverty by developing economic corridors.
ADB is committed to achieving a prosperous, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Asia and the Pacific, while sustaining its efforts to eradicate extreme poverty. Established in 1966, it is owned by 68 members—49 from the region.
Source: Asian Development Bank