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Kerry Logistics to develop port, SEZ in Georgia

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Kerry Logistics Network is leveraging on its long presence in Georgia and the Caucasian region to develop a port and Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Georgia.

Its joint venture firm Globalink signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Georgia's Anaklia City JSC to cooperate in the development of the Anaklia Deep Sea Port and SEZ in Anaklia, Georgia. Leveraging on its network of operations spanning across the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), Globalink is expected to bring a wealth of logistics and multimodal freight knowledge and expertise to the project.

Hong Kong-based Kerry Logistics’ agreement comes soon after the city signed a free trade agreement (FTA) with Georgia on 28 June 2018, the first FTA between Hong Kong and an economy in the Caucasian region of Eurasia.

The Anaklia Port and Anaklia SEZ are scheduled to be opened by the end of 2020 and comprise modern logistics and industrial parks which will be fully integrated with rail and road connections to the infrastructure networks of Georgia and neighbouring countries. The Anaklia Port is expected to become one of the largest ports in the Black Sea region and the first deep water port in Georgia with a handling capacity of up to 10,000 teu vessels, catering for a mix of cargoes including containers, dry bulk, liquid bulk and other types of cargoes.

Kerry Logistics md for China and North Asia Edwardo Erni said: "We are honoured to be given the opportunity to participate in this exciting project. Anaklia is a key cargo gateway in the Caucasian region. With Globalink's proven track record in the Georgian market, and our comprehensive multimodal freight network across Eurasia, we are committed to devising innovative solutions to facilitate the building of Anaklia Port into a successful logistics hub for the region with integrated logistics, sea-rail, and sea-road services."

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Anaklia is strategically located along the shortest trade route between China and Europe in the Belt and Road network, acting as a cargo gateway of the landlocked Central Asian and Caucasian regions.

Ketevan Bochorishvili, ceo of Anaklia City JSC said: "We are excited about the cooperation with Globalink which has a deep understanding and comprehensive experience in the Caucasian region and Central Asia. With the Anaklia Port and Anaklia SEZ, we are establishing a state-of-the-art logistics, trade and business platform, which will serve a pivotal role in increasing the connectivity of Georgia as it is positioned along the shortest route from China to Europe via the Middle Corridor and from India to Europe. The successful development of Anaklia projects is expected to unlock a potential market of over 150 million consumers and serve as a bridge between Asia and Europe."