DOCSLIB.ORG

Project Information Document (Pid)

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Project Information Document (Pid) PROJECT INFORMATION DOCUMENT (PID) CONCEPT STAGE Report No.: PIDC82 Project Name REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROJECT (P126033) Region EUROPE AND CENTRAL ASIA Country Georgia Public Disclosure Authorized Sector(s) General water, sanitation and flood protection sector (60%), Urban Transport (30%), Sub-national government administration (8%), Voc ational training (2%) Lending Instrument Specific Investment Loan Project ID P126033 Public Disclosure Copy Borrower(s) Ministry of Finance Implementing Agency Georgia Municipal Development Fund Environmental Category F-Financial Intermediary Assessment Date PID Prepared 02-Nov-2011 Estimated Date of Appraisal Completion 31-Jan-2012 Estimated Date of Board Approval 20-Mar-2012 Concept Review Decision Track II - The review did authorize the preparation to continue I. Introduction and Context Public Disclosure Authorized Country Context Following four years of rapid growth, backed by far-reaching reforms and strong FDI inflows, Georgia experienced a sharp economic downturn resulting from the August 2008 conflict and the global financial crisis. Economic recovery is underway, with growth of an estimated 6.3 percent in 2010. The authorities responded to the downturn with a countercyclical fiscal stimulus coupled with a marked reallocation of public expenditures toward social and infrastructure investments. As economic recovery takes hold, driven by higher exports and private investment, the authorities are winding down the stimulus and implementing fiscal adjustment to safeguard sustainability. There is, however, uncertainty regarding the pace of economic recovery. Georgia will need to refinance a public debt amortization spike in 2013. The authorities are addressing these vulnerabilities through well designed fiscal, monetary and debt management policies. Infrastructure projects are considered by the Government as part of the physical stimulus package. The Government refocused efforts in the past six years by launching several initiatives to attract private investors in selected regions (Tbilisi, Adjara and Imereti) on various sectors. Georgia, however, has not yet fully tapped its potential to promote sustainable tourism in promising regions, such as Kakheti, or transform the rural economy through investment in agriculture supply Public Disclosure Authorized chains for both export and import substitution. There is also a need for skills development in order to provide the skilled labor needed for a growing economy and increased productivity. In the framework of the CPS-PR for the period of FY12-FY13 presented to the Board in April 2011, the Government has asked the Bank to support regional development in Kakheti by applying a vertical programmatic approach. The proposed program of Public Disclosure Copy interventions will emphasize tourism and agriculture as two key pillars and drivers of economic growth. The proposed initial project will focus on support for the tourism sector and enabling the environment for the private sector to invest in Kakheti. A follow up intervention will likely focus on agriculture, benefitting from a planned ESW to provide a roadmap to support regional development in Kakheti. The ESW will identify the targeted outcomes in terms of future economic growth, what needs to be done and what impediments need to be overcome. Sectoral and Institutional Context Public Disclosure Authorized Georgia Regional Development Strategy : The Government of Georgia approved in June 25, 2010 (Government resolution no. 172), the State Strategy on Regional Development of Georgia for 2010-2017, prepared by the Ministry of Regional Development and Infrastructure (MRDI). The main objective of the strategy is to create a favorable environment for regional socio-economic development and improve living standards. These objectives will be attained through a balanced socio-economic development, increased competitiveness and increased socio-economic equalization among the regions. The Government has been investing in Tbilisi as the growth pole of Georgia, as well as in Adjara and Kutaisi/Imereti (west of Georgia) as growth centers. In order to better utilize the tourism and agriculture potentials that exist in Kakheti (east of Georgia) and reduce internal socio-economic disparities, the Governments intends now to support development of Kakheti with World Bank support to enable it become one of Georgia#s most dynamic growth centers. Kakheti Regional Development Strategy : In 2010, UNDP assisted the Administration of the Governor of the Kakheti Region and the Kakheti Regional Development Agency to prepare a participatory Regional Development Strategy for Kakheti (2010-2014). The strategy concluded that tourism and agriculture in Kakheti offer significant development potentials and proposed a priority action plan. Public Disclosure Copy Kakheti Context: As part of the identification of this program, the task team launched two supplemental supply chain analyses - one for tourism and one for agriculture. A vigorous economic analysis, drawing on the 2009 World Development Report, Reshaping Economic Geography, is also underway to assess institutional quality, infrastructural adequacy/connectivity, and targeted interventions to foster growth in tourism and agriculture. These analyses have enriched the identification of the project and will further be enhanced by the planned ESW analytical work in FY12. Kakheti occupies the largest territory among all other regions of Georgia with approximately 11,300 km The region consists of eight municipalities/local self-governments (LSGs) and has a population of about 404,000, which is about 9% of the Georgia population, making it the fourth largest region. Due to high mountains in the north and south, Kakheti is sparsely populated, with 35 persons/ kmgross density, compared to 75 persons/kmGeorgia average, mostly living in the middle two valleys of Alazani and Signagi. The region is weakly urbanized, with about 21% of population living in cites. Kakheti has always been one of the most important players in the history and economy of Georgia. Kakheti is recognized worldwide as a region of ancient culture. The Stone Age residences have been detected there. Kakheti was on the cross of the Great Silk Road. It is home of several ancient and unique monuments in Georgia: Nekresi Church Remnants (4th century AD), Davit Gareja Caved Monastery (6th century AD), Old Shuamta Basilica (5-6th century AD), NinoTsminda Citadel (7th century AD), Alaverdi Cathedral (11th century AD), Bodbe Monastery (9-11th century AD), Gremi Archangel Monastery Complex (16th century AD), etc. The ancient city of Telavi is the capital of Kakheti, cultural and economic center. The first records about the city are found with the Greek scholar Ptolemy (II century AD). Signagi and Kvareli are the other most important cultural and economic centers of the region with unique architecture. Kakheti is also known as the cradle of vine and wine. The vineyards cover the best part of the Alazani and Signagi valleys, while several food processing plants are located in Telavi, Signagi, Kvareli, and Akhmeta. Kakheti is also home of three magnificent protected areas, Tusheti in the north, Lagodekhi in the center and Vashlovani in the south. Tusheti has maintained unique monuments of cultural heritage, traditions and ceremonies. Tusheti is particularly outstanding for its magnificent landscape. The two historical villages in Tusheti: Dartlo, and Omalo, are very unique from architectural and historical stands, where households still maintain their cultural endowments and pattern of life. Kakheti, in contrast to some other Georgian regions, has not yet undergone important transformation of its economy. Economic density in Kakheti is about GEL74,000/km compared to GEL 409,000 in Adjara and GEL 52m in Tbilisi. The role of agriculture, though declining in terms of contribution to GDP and employment, still represents a large part of the economy and remains less Public Disclosure Copy productive than elsewhere. Services, including tourism, generate about 60 percent of the value added in Kakheti, while public administration is still playing the dominant role. However, service sectors of higher productivity, such as hotels and restaurants, have become recently an important growth driver in Kakheti. Planned economic analysis during preparation of this Project will aim at providing an overarching framework within which policy thinking regarding future development of Kakheti can be organized. This will include an analysis of the growth/employment impact of the proposed investments with sectoral breakdowns. A simple analysis of growth shows that an increase of investment by about $10m in 2012 can increase VA growth rate from 5.4% to 7.2%, in real terms, in the same year. The proposed project is envisaged to invest $50m during the period 2012-2016, which can multiply such a growth estimate. The tourism value-chain analysis reveals huge tourism development potentials, but also some key challenges: - while the number of overnight visitors to the country is growing rapidly, at nearly 20 percent per year, the vast majority are coming from fairly low spending markets and coming for business or to visit friends and relatives (VFR); - need for urban regeneration and improve quality of municipal infrastructure in key cultural centers (Telavi, Kvareli, and Tusheti); - low quality municipal infrastructure (water, sanitation, access roads and solid waste disposal); - limited hotel capacity; - seasonality, particularly in the winter; - lack
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Electricity: 8700
    Covenant of Mayors 4 Climate & Energy Workshop on Data Solutions for Evidence- Based Policy and Stakeholder UNECE Webinar George Abulashvili COM Statistics for Georgia Signatories Population Akhaltsikhe 17,903 Lanchkhuti 31,486 Akhmeta 41,641 Mtskheta 7,800 Batumi 152,839 Ozurgeti 62,500 Bolnisi 53,590 Poti 41,465 Chokhatauri 19,001 Rustavi 125,103 Dedoplistskaro 21,221 Sagarejo 51,761 Gori 77,549 Sighnagi 29,948 Gurjaani 54,337 Tbilisi 1,108,717 Kutaisi 147,635 Telavi 38,721 Kazbegi 3,795 Tianeti 9,468 Kvareli 29,827 Zugdidi 62,511 Lagodekhi 41,678 Bagdati 29,2235 2 CNC’s ; 3 CTC’s and 3 CS’s 10 SE(C)Aps developed Georgian MDCP - Mayors Club Georgia • Analysis of barriers and drivers, Development of a National Roadmap (task 3.1.2) • Development of a Benchmark Database (task 3.1.3) • Development of a Project Pipeline (task 3.1.4) Number of Projects by Sectors 80 75 N of 70 SECAP Sectors Projects 60 Adaptation CC 0 50 EE in Buildings 12 40 Renewable energy 21 30 21 Street Lighting 75 20 12 Other (transport, …) 4 10 4 TOTAL 108 0 0 Adaptation CC EE in Buildings Renewable Street Lighting Other energy Number of municipalities implementing the projects -15; total number of CoM signatories - 24. Project Investments by Sectors, 1000 EUR 50,000 45,000 43379 40,000 Investments SECAP Sectors 000 EUR 35,000 Adaptation CC 0 30,000 EE in Buildings 8,538 25,000 Renewable energy 225 20,000 Street Lighting 1,509 15,000 Other (transport, …) 43,379 10,000 8538 TOTAL 53,651 5,000 1509 0 225 0 Adaptation CC EE in Buildings Renewable energy Street Lighting Other (transport, …) The huge figure in the “Other” sector is mainly due to the EBRD and EU E5P financing of the Tbilisi CNG bus project for 34 million euros.
    [Show full text]
  • A Short History of Georgian Architecture
    A SHORT HISTORY OF GEORGIAN ARCHITECTURE Georgia is situated on the isthmus between the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea. In the north it is bounded by the Main Caucasian Range, forming the frontier with Russia, Azerbaijan to the east and in the south by Armenia and Turkey. Geographically Georgia is the meeting place of the European and Asian continents and is located at the crossroads of western and eastern cultures. In classical sources eastern Georgia is called Iberia or Caucasian Iberia, while western Georgia was known to Greeks and Romans as Colchis. Georgia has an elongated form from east to west. Approximately in the centre in the Great Caucasian range extends downwards to the south Surami range, bisecting the country into western and eastern parts. Although this range is not high, it produces different climates on its western and eastern sides. In the western part the climate is milder and on the sea coast sub-tropical with frequent rains, while the eastern part is typically dry. Figure 1 Map of Georgia Georgian vernacular architecture The different climates in western and eastern Georgia, together with distinct local building materials and various cultural differences creates a diverse range of vernacular architectural styles. In western Georgia, because the climate is mild and the region has abundance of timber, vernacular architecture is characterised by timber buildings. Surrounding the timber houses are lawns and decorative trees, which rarely found in the rest of the country. The population and hamlets scattered in the landscape. In eastern Georgia, vernacular architecture is typified by Darbazi, a type of masonry building partially cut into ground and roofed by timber or stone (rarely) constructions known as Darbazi, from which the type derives its name.
    [Show full text]
  • World Bank Document
    Public Disclosure Authorized Environmental Management Plan Public Disclosure Authorized for rehabilitation of secondary road Chalaubani-Signagi-Anaga km 16 - km 22 Public Disclosure Authorized Tbilisi, Georgia July 2012 Public Disclosure Authorized 1 PART 1: GENERAL PROJECT AND SITE INFORMATION INSTITUTIONAL & ADMINISTRATIVE Country Georgia Project title Rehabilitation of secondary road Chalaubani-Signagi-Anaga km 16 - km 22 The existing road pavement of the design section is represented as a damaged asphalt concrete (the main damage Scope of project and type is “alligator” cracks, potholes, settled areas, damages edges), longitudinal and cross parameters are violated. activity There is one bridge located at the section that is in fair condition. The design road is crossed by 9 culverts of different lengths, 2 of which need replacement and 7 has to be rehabilitated. The ditches are to be arranged along the road, and the existing road side ditches need cleaning and upgrading to function. Some technical characteristics of the existing road are as follows: • Roadway width 5-9 m • Carriageway width 5 m • Shoulder width 0-2 m. The design alignment follows the existing route. Aiming at avoiding the encroachment upon the property or land occupation, the transitional curves are designed for the densely populated areas improving the safety and traffic comfort. Institutional WB Project Management Local Counterpart and/or Recipient arrangements (Project Team Leader) Giorgi Tsereteli Signagi Municipality (Name and contacts) Joseph Melitauri RDMRDI Implementation Safeguard Supervision Local Counterpart Local Inspectorate Contractor arrangements WB Supervision Supervision Caucasavtomagistrali Technical Supervisor - (Name and contacts) Darejan Kapanadze RRMSD Ltd. SITE DESCRIPTION Name of site Rehabilitation of secondary road Chalaubani-Signagi-Anaga 16Km-22Km, Kakheti Region, Signagi Municipality Describe site location The project is located in the East Georgia.
    [Show full text]
  • Georgia, Armenia & Azerbaijan
    Land Program Rate: $6,195 (per person based on double occupancy) Single Supplement: $1,095 Included: All accommodation, hotel taxes • Meals per itinerary (B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner) • Arrival/departure transfers for pas- sengers arriving/departing on scheduled start/ end days • All land transportation per itinerary including private motor coach throughout the itinerary • Internal airfare between Baku and Tbilisi • Study leader and pre-departure education materials • Special cultural events and extensive sightseeing, includ- ing entrance fees • Welcome and farewell dinners • Services of a tour manager throughout the land program • Gratuities to tour manager, guides and drivers • Comprehensive pre-departure packet Not Included: Travel insurance • Round trip airfare between Baku/Yerevan and USA. Our tour operator MIR Corporation can assist with reservations. • Passport and visa fees • Meals not specified as included in the itinerary • Personal items such as telephone calls, alcohol, laun- dry, excess baggage fees Air Arrangements: Program rates do not include international airfare from/to USA. Because there are a number of flight options available, there is no group flight for this program. Informa- tion on a recommended flight itinerary will be sent by our tour operator upon confirmation. What to Expect: This trip is moderately active due to the substantial distances covered and Club of California The Commonwealth St 555 Post CA 94102 San Francisco, the extensive walking and stair climbing required; parts of the tour will not always be wheelchair - accessible. To reap the full rewards of this adventure, travelers must be able to walk at least a mile a day (with or without the assistance of a cane) and stand for an extended period of time during walking tours and museum visits.
    [Show full text]
  • Interests of the West European Countries in Georgia in the Context of the Persian-Ottoman International Relations (From the 40S to the 60S of the 16Th C.)
    saqarTvelos mecnierebaTa erovnuli akademiis moambe, t. 14, #4, 2020 BULLETIN OF THE GEORGIAN NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES, vol. 14, no. 4, 2020 History Interests of the West European Countries in Georgia in the Context of the Persian-Ottoman International Relations (from the 40s to the 60s of the 16th c.) Tea Karchava*, Murman Papashvili*, Tea Tsitlanadze*, Andro Gogoladze** *Department of the History of Middle Ages, Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University, Tbilisi, Georgia **Institute of World History, University of Georgia, Tbilisi, Georgia (Presented by Academy Member Liana Melikishvili) The present paper is based on the European sources provided by Michelle Membre and Anthony Jenkinson who left important information about Georgians. The report of Membre, the Venetian author, who visited Safavid Persia via Georgia, provides descriptive information about Georgian people (life, clothes, housing, equipment, economic status and the situation in the war-ravaged political units, etc), while Jenkinson, the English author, who met Georgians in Persian capital and persian dominions, makes stress on the economic potential and political circumstances of the 16th century Georgian realms. Jenkinson depicts a wide profile of the English trade agents’ journeys in the East, their diplomatic flexibility and insight into the essence of political situation providing the analysis of the cause and effect of the success or failure of the prospects/concrete steps. Venetian and English sources disclosed the historical fact that from the 40s to the 60s of the 16th century the political rulers of Georgia were interested in establishing political contacts with the Roman Catholic countries in the general context of the anti-Ottoman sentiment.
    [Show full text]
  • Wine & Brandy Tour 5 Days
    WINE & BRANDY TOUR 5 DAYS Private special escorted tour for individuals and families BEST TIME JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC History and culture of Georgia have always been closely intertwined with winemaking tradition. Wine in local culture is often considered as a symbol of hospitality and friendship. Oldest evidence of winemaking has been recently discovered at the archaeological site near Tbilisi, at the 8000-year old village. Nowadays there are over 500 species of grape in Georgia, while up to 40 of those varieties are used in commercial wine production. 5-day “Wine and Brandy” introduces you to the Georgian wine. Tour takes off in the capital Tbilisi and travels to the major traditional winemaking region of Georgia – Kakheti. On this tour, travelers will be able to sightsee Tbilisi, visit the best wineries of Kakheti region, taste various local types of wine, and take a look at both modern and traditional ways of wine and brandy production of the country. Group will be accompanied by local, professional and experienced guide and driver MAIN HIGHLIGHTS & SITES: TBILISI CITY KAKHETI REGION • Holy Trinity Cathedral • Signagi town • Narikala Fortress 4Th C • Sighnaghi Pheasant’s Tears wine cellar • Legvtakhevi Waterfall • Winery & museum Numisi in Velistsikhe 16th c • Sulfur bathhouse square • Kvareli Wine Tunnels • Shardeni str & Bridge of Peace • Telavi Town • Meidan square • Telavi Farmer’s Bazaar • Georgian National Museum • Tsinandali Residence of Al. Chavchavadze 19th c • Sarajishvili Brandy Factory • Gremi Royal Residence & Castle 16th c • Funicular Train & Mtatsminda Park • Twin’s Wine Cellar and Museum DAY TO DAY ITINERARY 1 DAY Arrival in Tbilisi Airport-Tbilisi City Tour back to the 4th century.
    [Show full text]
  • Tour to Georgia 10 Days /9 Nights
    TOUR TO GEORGIA 10 DAYS /9 NIGHTS Day 1: Arrival at Tbilisi Meeting at the airport, transfer to the hotel. Free time. Overnight at the hotel in Tbilisi. Day 2. Tbilisi (B/L/-) Breakfast at the hotel. Tour of the historic part of the city, which begins with a visit to the Metekhi Temple, which is one of the most famous monuments in Tbilisi. This temple was honored in the 13th century, on the very edge of the stony shore of the Kura and the former fortress and residence of the Georgian kings. The first Georgian martyr, Queen Shushanika Ranskaya, was buried under the arches of the Metekhi temple. Inspection of the Tbilisi sulfur baths, which are built in the style of classical oriental architecture. These are low, squat buildings, covered with semicircular domes with large glass openings in the center, serving as windows that illuminate the interior, as the baths themselves are below ground level. In the old days, people here not only bathed, but also talked, lingering until dawn, and the city matchmakers arranged special days on special days. In the baths gave dinner parties, concluded trade deals. Walk on the square Maidan, which was the main shopping area of the city and along small streets known under the common name "Sharden". Narikala Fortress, which is the most ancient monument, a kind of "soul and heart of the city." The date of construction of the fortress is called approximately IV century AD, so it stands from the foundation of the city itself. Later, the fortress was expanded and completed several times.
    [Show full text]
  • Georgia Armenia Azerbaijan 4
    ©Lonely Planet Publications Pty Ltd 317 Behind the Scenes SEND US YOUR FEEDBACK We love to hear from travell ers – your comments keep us on our toes and help make our books better. Our well- travell ed team reads every word on what you loved or loathed about this book. Although we cannot reply individually to postal submissions, we always guarantee that your feedback goes straight to the appropriate authors, in time for the next edition. Each person who sends us information is thanked in the next edition – the most useful submissions are rewarded with a selection of digital PDF chapters. Visit lonelyplanet.com/contact to submit your updates and suggestions or to ask for help. Our award-winning website also features inspirational travel stories, news and discussions. Note: We may edit, reproduce and incorporate your comments in Lonely Planet products such as guidebooks, websites and digital products, so let us know if you don’t want your comments reproduced or your name acknowledged. For a copy of our privacy policy visit lonelyplanet.com/privacy. Stefaniuk, Farid Subhanverdiyev, Valeria OUR READERS Many thanks to the travellers who used Superno Falco, Laurel Sutherland, Andreas the last edition and wrote to us with Sveen Bjørnstad, Trevor Sze, Ann Tulloh, helpful hints, useful advice and interest- Gerbert Van Loenen, Martin Van Der Brugge, ing anecdotes: Robert Van Voorden, Wouter Van Vliet, Michael Weilguni, Arlo Werkhoven, Barbara Grzegorz, Julian, Wojciech, Ashley Adrian, Yoshida, Ian Young, Anne Zouridakis. Asli Akarsakarya, Simone
    [Show full text]
  • Economic Prosperity Initiative
    USAID/GEORGIA DO2: Inclusive and Sustainable Economic Growth October 1, 2011 – September 31, 2012 Gagra Municipal (regional) Infrastructure Development (MID) ABKHAZIA # Municipality Region Project Title Gudauta Rehabilitation of Roads 1 Mtskheta 3.852 km; 11 streets : Mtskheta- : Mtanee Rehabilitation of Roads SOKHUMI : : 1$Mestia : 2 Dushet 2.240 km; 7 streets :: : ::: Rehabilitation of Pushkin Gulripshi : 3 Gori street 0.92 km : Chazhashi B l a c k S e a :%, Rehabilitaion of Gorijvari : 4 Gori Shida Kartli road 1.45 km : Lentekhi Rehabilitation of Nationwide Projects: Ochamchire SAMEGRELO- 5 Kareli Sagholasheni-Dvani 12 km : Highway - DCA Basisbank ZEMO SVANETI RACHA-LECHKHUMI rehabilitaiosn Roads in Oni Etseri - DCA Bank Republic Lia*#*# 6 Oni 2.452 km, 5 streets *#Sachino : KVEMO SVANETI Stepantsminda - DCA Alliance Group 1$ Gali *#Mukhuri Tsageri Shatili %, Racha- *#1$ Tsalenjikha Abari Rehabilitation of Headwork Khvanchkara #0#0 Lechkhumi - DCA Crystal Obuji*#*# *#Khabume # 7 Oni of Drinking Water on Oni for Nakipu 0 Likheti 3 400 individuals - Black Sea Regional Transmission ZUGDIDI1$ *# Chkhorotsku1$*# ]^!( Oni Planning Project (Phase 2) Chitatskaro 1$!( Letsurtsume Bareuli #0 - Georgia Education Management Project (EMP) Akhalkhibula AMBROLAURI %,Tsaishi ]^!( *#Lesichine Martvili - Georgia Primary Education Project (G-Pried) MTSKHETA- Khamiskuri%, Kheta Shua*#Zana 1$ - GNEWRC Partnership Program %, Khorshi Perevi SOUTH MTIANETI Khobi *# *#Eki Khoni Tskaltubo Khresili Tkibuli#0 #0 - HICD Plus #0 ]^1$ OSSETIA 1$ 1$!( Menji *#Dzveli
    [Show full text]
  • Eventyrlandet Mellom Kaukasus Og Svartehavet Vandreområde I Kaukasus Churchkhela – Søtsak Fra Georgia Stolte Tradisjoner I Vinproduksjonen
    9. – 16. septemberDATO 2016 GEORGIA – eventyrlandet mellom Kaukasus og Svartehavet Vandreområde i Kaukasus Churchkhela – søtsak fra Georgia Stolte tradisjoner i vinproduksjonen Bli med oss på en spennende reise og bli like fasinert som dikteren Knut Hamsun, som kalte Georgia for et «æventyrland». Et naturparadis - uoppdaget og ukjent for de fleste nordmenn – men en liten juvel i Europa venter. Den berømte Silkeveien gikk gjennom Georgia og det er her Europa møter Asia. I dag er landet en fascinerende blanding av orientalsk og vestlig eleganse. Dette frodige landet gir store naturopplevelser – 5000 meter høye fjelltopper, isbreer, storslåtte grønne daler, semi-ørken, subtropisk regnskog og langstrakte hvite strender. En tusenårig kultur med eldgamle klostre og kirker og spennende folklore og tradisjoner. En gammel, gregoriansk legende forteller at Vårherre under Jordens skapelse skulle ta seg en matbit. Han ble imidlertid så opptatt av det guddommelige måltidet at han snublet over Kaukasus høye fjell og mistet all mat og vin ut over Georgia. Derfor spiser og drikker man så godt i dette fjerne landet. Dag 1: Voss – Tbilisi i fjellet åpenbarer tusenvis av vinflasker med årgangsvin. Vi kjører buss til Flesland hvor vi flyr via København og Selvfølgelig fristes vi til å smake, og i en av vintunnellene Istanbul til Georgias hovedstad. står vinglass, brød og olivenolje klar til oss. Stort vinutsalg for den kjøpelystne. Utpå ettermiddagen kommer Hotel Dag 2: Tbilisi Royal Batoni til syne på en høyde omkranset av tett skog. Vi bor på Mercure Old Tbilisi Hotel midt i gamlebyen – et Det ser ut som et eventyrslott. Gled deg til en natt med en perfekt sted for å utforske hovedstaden til fots.
    [Show full text]
  • ON the EFFECTIVE USE of PROXY WARFARE by Andrew Lewis Peek Baltimore, Maryland May 2021 © 2021 Andrew Peek All Rights Reserved
    ON THE EFFECTIVE USE OF PROXY WARFARE by Andrew Lewis Peek A dissertation submitted to Johns Hopkins University in conformity with the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy Baltimore, Maryland May 2021 2021 Andrew Peek All rights reserved Abstract This dissertation asks a simple question: how are states most effectively conducting proxy warfare in the modern international system? It answers this question by conducting a comparative study of the sponsorship of proxy forces. It uses process tracing to examine five cases of proxy warfare and predicts that the differentiation in support for each proxy impacts their utility. In particular, it proposes that increasing the principal-agent distance between sponsors and proxies might correlate with strategic effectiveness. That is, the less directly a proxy is supported and controlled by a sponsor, the more effective the proxy becomes. Strategic effectiveness here is conceptualized as consisting of two key parts: a proxy’s operational capability and a sponsor’s plausible deniability. These should be in inverse relation to each other: the greater and more overt a sponsor’s support is to a proxy, the more capable – better armed, better trained – its proxies should be on the battlefield. However, this close support to such proxies should also make the sponsor’s influence less deniable, and thus incur strategic costs against both it and the proxy. These costs primarily consist of external balancing by rival states, the same way such states would balance against conventional aggression. Conversely, the more deniable such support is – the more indirect and less overt – the less balancing occurs.
    [Show full text]
  • Georgian Country and Culture Guide
    Georgian Country and Culture Guide მშვიდობის კორპუსი საქართველოში Peace Corps Georgia 2017 Forward What you have in your hands right now is the collaborate effort of numerous Peace Corps Volunteers and staff, who researched, wrote and edited the entire book. The process began in the fall of 2011, when the Language and Cross-Culture component of Peace Corps Georgia launched a Georgian Country and Culture Guide project and PCVs from different regions volunteered to do research and gather information on their specific areas. After the initial information was gathered, the arduous process of merging the researched information began. Extensive editing followed and this is the end result. The book is accompanied by a CD with Georgian music and dance audio and video files. We hope that this book is both informative and useful for you during your service. Sincerely, The Culture Book Team Initial Researchers/Writers Culture Sara Bushman (Director Programming and Training, PC Staff, 2010-11) History Jack Brands (G11), Samantha Oliver (G10) Adjara Jen Geerlings (G10), Emily New (G10) Guria Michelle Anderl (G11), Goodloe Harman (G11), Conor Hartnett (G11), Kaitlin Schaefer (G10) Imereti Caitlin Lowery (G11) Kakheti Jack Brands (G11), Jana Price (G11), Danielle Roe (G10) Kvemo Kartli Anastasia Skoybedo (G11), Chase Johnson (G11) Samstkhe-Javakheti Sam Harris (G10) Tbilisi Keti Chikovani (Language and Cross-Culture Coordinator, PC Staff) Workplace Culture Kimberly Tramel (G11), Shannon Knudsen (G11), Tami Timmer (G11), Connie Ross (G11) Compilers/Final Editors Jack Brands (G11) Caitlin Lowery (G11) Conor Hartnett (G11) Emily New (G10) Keti Chikovani (Language and Cross-Culture Coordinator, PC Staff) Compilers of Audio and Video Files Keti Chikovani (Language and Cross-Culture Coordinator, PC Staff) Irakli Elizbarashvili (IT Specialist, PC Staff) Revised and updated by Tea Sakvarelidze (Language and Cross-Culture Coordinator) and Kakha Gordadze (Training Manager).
    [Show full text]