The Georgian Economy Minister Levan Davitashvili said talks were ongoing with the China Communications Construction Company Limited and China Harbor Investment Pte. Ltd - a Chinese-Singaporean consortium that has applied to be a private partner for the state in the project for a deepwater port in north-western Georgia’s Black Sea town of Anaklia - to seek clarification on their proposals.

"We have identified an applicant who has submitted specific proposals, however, we are working with them to clarify the proposals. This is a rather complex document with many requirements, many technical parameters that need to be brought into compliance, and therefore the talks with the company continue. I think this process is also going according to plan.

Perhaps our decision and tactics were correct when we conducted parallel processes to optimize the construction - to start our part of the construction work without waiting for a private partner, and then to select a partner to develop the ground infrastructure together, without losing time,” - Davitashvili said.

The Economy Ministry had previously announced in May that the Chinese company would be unveiled as the state's private partner for the project. However, Davitashvili clarified today that while the applicant company had been identified, the winner had not been announced yet.

He said the Chinese-Singaporean consortium would only be declared the winner if they met specified conditions in accordance with the competition rules.

The Minister expressed hope that through ongoing dialogue, the Consortium’s proposal would be brought into alignment with the competition requirements, leading to a successful partnership.