The former Georgian President claimed that it typically takes thirty days to deliver cargo to Europe via Russian territory, whereas it allegedly takes only nine days to transport cargo to Odessa through Azerbaijan and the Georgian sea port of Poti.
"To redirect the business here, first of all it is necessary to reduce costly transportation tariffs. Secondly, we need ferries and logistics centers," he said.
Saakashvili said that Odessa has a huge potential, adding that there are investors who are ready to invest in the construction of the ferry line in the city. At the same time, he stressed the need to root out corruption in the Odessa region so as to implement the ferry line project.
Saakashvili was appointed Governor of the Odessa region on May 31, a day after Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko issued a decree to give Ukrainian citizenship to the former Georgian leader.
At home, Mikheil Saakashvili is wanted on charges of murder, embezzlement of millions of dollars of government funds, masterminding an armed attack against a legislator, and abuse of power. In 2014, Georgia’s Chief Prosecutor’s Office asked the Ukrainian Prosecutor’s Office for Saakashvili’s detention in Ukraine and his extradition to Georgia, but the Ukrainian side refused to cooperate.
