Good governance in transport infrastructure development in focus at OSCE seminar in Batumi

BATUMI, Georgia, 6 November 2009 - A two-day regional institution-building seminar that finished in Batumi today promoted good governance and anti-corruption measures in the area of transport infrastructure development in the South Caucasus.

The seminar was organized by the Office of the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities with the support of the Government of Georgia, and financial contributions from the Belgian and French governments. It gathered over 40 officials from the Ministries of Transport, Finance and Justice and anti-corruption agencies in Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia, as well as researchers, international experts and representatives of international organizations.

"A vital element of anti-corruption policies in the field of transport-related construction projects is proper public procurement. Recent estimates show that public procurement of goods and services amounts to 15 to 25 percent of a country's GDP," said Alexey Stukalo, Deputy Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities.

Sulkhan Jortmenadze, First Deputy Minister of Finance and Economy in Georgia's Autonomous Republic of Adjara, added: "Strengthening governance in transport infrastructure development is very relevant for Adjara where many large-scale projects are underway, as well as for the rest of Georgia."

Hubert Duhot, representative of the French Embassy in Tbilisi said: "We attach great importance to the promotion of good governance and the fight against corruption, as we consider these vital conditions for economic prosperity and security in the region."

Participants exchanged information on their national policy mechanisms and legal frameworks in the fight against corruption and discussed ways of raising transparency and accountability in public tendering and bidding processes.

The seminar was followed by a study visit to the Batumi Sea Port facilities.