Saakashvili Vows to Turn Kutaisi into ‘Second Capital’

Some of the state agencies will be relocated from the capital Tbilisi to Kutaisi as part of infrastructure development plan of the country’s second largest city, President Saakashvili told government members on May 7.

Saakashvili was speaking at a government meeting held in Kutaisi and attended by cabinet members and regional governors. 30-minute portion of the meeting was aired live by all the national television stations – the Georgian Public Broadcaster, Rustavi 2 TV and Mze TV (Imedi TV although resumed broadcasts, but without news and political programming).

Saakashvili said that Chamber of Control – the main state audit agency, as well as Department of Roads and Georgian National Electricity Regulatory Commission (GNERC) should be among the state structures which would be headquartered in Kutaisi instead of Tbilisi.

He told the government members that mainly Kutaisi residents should be employed in the state agencies that would be relocated. “I have promised Kutaisi residents of turning Kutaisi into second capital of Georgia,” he said.

Saakashvili said that the move was part of “a 100-day action plan” for Kutaisi development, which would also involve investment projects, first stage of the reconstruction of the city’s historic part and plan for improvement of water supply system – problem that is one of the major problems for Kutaisi for many years already.

“By the end of my presidential term there should be 24-hour water supply in Kutaisi. I ask you to direct all the resources towards that task,” Saakashvili told the government.

The President also instructed the cabinet to arrange holding of “international investment conference” in Kutaisi to allow foreign investors acquire with Kutaisi investment opportunities.

Saakashvili also said that the government also had “50-month action plan” for entire country aimed at, as he put it, “100% employment” for major cities, “100% gasification and water supply” in rural areas.

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