Kobuleti received some welcome news this week as the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development has announced their support in a new wastewater system and has set aside €2.2 million to finance the project.

Kobuleti, a resort town in Georgia, has been enjoying an increase in tourism over the last few years with visitors from the area as well as the surrounding countries and the loan will help the town to service this. The local water supply company, Kobuleti Water Company, will receive the funds as they look to construct a completely new wastewater treatment plant. As well as servicing the many visitors, the upgrade will also reduce pollution in the sea water and will also benefit the health of the public. New technologies mean that the discharge of wastewater can be controlled more effectively increasing the standards of the area and potentially allowing more growth.

A project under the Ministry of Regional Development and Infrastructure of Georgia, the Municipal Development Fund (MDF), will be taking care of the project along with support from the EBRD project management team. Furthermore, the EBRD Water Fund will make technical cooperation grants available to introduce an analysis and assessment system. The Czech Government have also supported the project by offering funding as well as support to the MDF.

The EBRD Director for the Caucasus, Belarus and Moldova, Bruno Balvenera, has said “The project is another demonstration of the EBRD’s commitment to Georgia’s regional and local development. Improving sanitation in the water system is an important part of the Bank’s strategy in Georgia, where the aim is to further develop municipal infrastructure to improve quality of life and unlock economic growth in the country”.

This project marks yet further support of the country from the EBRD as the total investment now reaches nearly €2.70 billion in over 180 projects. Most of these developments have come in the private sector as well as the financial, infrastructure and energy sectors.