The Georgian railway has received its first cargo train from China and has officially launched the Silk Road Project. The project will connect Europe, Eastern Asia, India, Central Asia and the Middle East, the Georgia Today reported.
The train departed from the Lianyungang terminal in China’s eastern area several days ago. It has travelled through Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan and, after passing through Georgia, will soon arrive in Turkey.
"Today we start to contribute to international wellbeing. The Silk Road has been a significant ground route connecting Europe and Asia," Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili said, noting that the Silk Road project will bring more investments and stability for Georgia.
According to the PM, the Silk Road will be the cheapest and shortest road between Asia and Europe.
"We can receive goods in 8-10 days from China and send them to Europe in 3-5 days," Garibashvili added, "Our country is a part of the scale. It allows us additional chances to become a participant of world economic developments. The Silk Road is an impetus in terms of deepening the political, cultural and economic relations," he concluded.
According to Garibashvili his Government will make an effort to turn the country into a regional hub and make it attractive for investors. According to the Prime Minister, Tbilisi Central Station will receive one more cargo train from China before the end of the year. From 2016, as part of the project, thousands of cargo trains will pass by Georgian transit.
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