BAKU, Azerbaijan, Aug. 30
By Klavdiya Romakayeva - Trend:
The Georgian fishing fleet will be replenished with 14 new vessels, Georgian Economy Minister Natia Turnava said, speaking at the presentation of the candidate of the ruling Georgian Dream party for mayor of the port city of Poti, Trend reports citing Georgian media.
According to Turnava, the replacement of old vessels in order to develop the fishing fleet is being implemented within the framework of the state program ‘Produce in Georgia’.
“The fishing industry is another traditional area that Poti is known for, and to support this area, we have launched an important program that includes the purchase of 14 new fishing vessels and the gradual replacement of old ones,” Turnava said.
It is reported that today the fishing fleet of Georgia consists of 30 seiners, which employ up to 500 sailors. It is noted that these vessels are outdated and do not meet modern requirements.
The program, launched for the development of the fishing fleet, simultaneously provides for up to five million lari ($1.6 million) under the credit-guarantee mechanism (90 percent collateral) and the possibility of three percent co-financing of the bank loan refinancing rate. In addition, the possibility of taking the vessel by installments is envisaged, if the refinancing rate plus the mechanism of five percent co-financing is carried out.
The volume of loans for the purchase of ships amounts to more than 46.4 million lari ($14.9 million), and the total investment exceeds 47.5 million lari ($15.2 million).
Also, according to Turnava, at least 250 new jobs have already been created under this program.
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