BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 30
Tamilla Mammadova – Trend:
Georgian Poti Sea Port Corporation launches the Small Businesses Support Program APMTerminals4Poti, Trend reports via Georgian media.
The process will be executed by the Export Development Association (EDA) and its sub-contractor – Regional Development Association (RDA). EDA was selected through an open tender and is a Georgian business enabler association with experience in similar initiatives.
The program has been designed within the APM Terminals Poti Deep-Water Port Construction Project. It aims to provide competitive business and employment opportunities to start-ups and experienced entrepreneurs. The program will run for 2 consecutive years and is intended to deliver direct and indirect benefits to the Poti community.
As reported, this program aims to stimulate local entrepreneurship to engage more closely with the community and develop a stronger collaborative approach.
More than 80 small projects are expected to be supported within this program, increasing employment and easing access to needed services and products for the Poti community.
Maximum funding on each project is limited to 4,000 lari ($1,185) and requires a minimum of 20 percent co-funding of the applied project cost from the beneficiaries. The total budget for the program is 800,000 lari ($237,064), including all taxes. Project ideas are not limited to any business field or industry, provided that they operate in Poti, carry a sustainable social and economic outlook, and preferably showcase innovative products for the local community.
APM Terminals operates a global network of 78 operating ports and terminal facilities spread over 58 countries. In April 2011, APM Terminals purchased Poti Sea Port, the largest port in Georgia, a multi-purpose facility with 15 berths for cargo and RoRo service, with a total quay length of 2,900 meters and more than 20 quay cranes.
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