On 29 November 2014, Prime Minister of Georgia, Irakli Gharibashvili, gave a speech at the International Investment Forum and introduced Georgia’s economic potential to the delegates. Mr Gharibashvili spoke about various economic and infrastructural projects in the framework of the Forum. He noted Georgia’s transport potential as well and highlighted that the demand on Georgia’s ports has significantly increased. More precisely, container transportation increased by 18% in the first eight months of 2014 as compared to the same period of the last year.

FactCheck took interest in the accuracy of Mr Gharibashvili’s statement and verified it.

The website of the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development pictures the statistical data of the revenue received from transportation in 2010-2014.

Graph 1: Containers Processed at Seaports (Gross)

As the statistical data show, the number of the containers processed at Georgia’s seaports has been increasing since 2010. In the first ten months of 2011, 32% more containers were processed as compared to 2010. In the first ten months of 2012, 20% more containers were processed as compared to the previous year. The number of containers processed increased in 2013 as well, although the increase rate decreased and amounted to a modest 11%. In 2014, there was an 11% increase as well. The number of containers processed at Georgian seaports has been increasing since 2011; nevertheless, the increase rate went down.

The website of the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development also shows the number of processed cargo and transported passengers.

Graph 2: Processed Cargo and Transported Passengers (Gross)

The amount of cargo transported at seaports and terminals in the first ten months of 2014 decreased by 5% as compared to the same period of the last year. It is noteworthy that the gross number of processed cargo has been decreasing from 2010. The trend did not change in 2014 as well. As for the number of passengers transported, it increased by 3% as compared to the last year.

Graph 3: Passengers Transported by Transport Sector (Gross)

Even though the number of containers processed at seaports has increased, the total number of cargo transported by Georgia’s transport sector has been decreasing since 2012 (Graph 4).

Graph 4: Cargo Transported by Transport Sector (Gross)

Lasha Senashvili

FactCheck