German solar energy panels’ plant opens in Georgia’s Kutaisi town
By Gvantsa Gabekhadze
Wednesday, May 22
The German plant of solar energy panels has opened in Georgia’s western town of Kutaisi, which will manufacture solar panels and export them to the EU, the US and the Middle East, the Georgian government reported on Tuesday.
Georgian Prime Minister Mamuka Bakhtadze, who attended the opening event, vowed that 'we are bound to see soon that Georgia turns into a hi-tech producer country.'
The enterprise is launched by a German company AE Solar, which is a global player in the manufacturing of solar panels.
“I wish to particularly thank the investors for making this decision and constructing a plant right in Georgia. Several alternatives were considered and it is noteworthy that investors decided in favor of Georgia,” Bakhtadze said.
The plant will employ 300 people.
“It [the plant] will also run very important programs that will help us to provide education and other opportunities for locals,” Bakhtadze said.
He stated that in a few weeks construction of another 'significant enterprise' will be launched in Georgia, and it will be the first manufacturing of electric cars in Georgia based in Kutaisi.
"It is yet another evidence that Georgia has the potential to get established on the global map as a manufacturer of hi-tech. A few months ago, when I was speaking about it, many were skeptical. We will see with our own eyes in real life and very soon that Georgia will become a country of hi-tech manufacturing,” Bakhtadze said.
Members of the previous, United National Movement government, frequently accuse the current state leadership of 'killing the potential of Kutaisi,' when the parliamentary activities were returned from Kutaisi to Tbilisi last year and 'no steps were made' to make Kutaisi a location for Georgian high-education institutions.
