Hundreds protest in Tbilisi against UAE firm’s construction plans in Georgia

Hundreds of people are protesting on Rustaveli Avenue in Tbilisi against the implementation of housing and infrastructure projects by UAE-based company Eagle Hills in Georgia, a TASS correspondent reports from the scene.

Protesters have blocked the avenue. Police units are maintaining order and have cordoned off the Eagle Hills office just meters from the epicentre of the demonstration. The protest is organised by the opposition party, the Conservative Movement.

In October, Georgia’s Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development Mariam Kvrivishvili and Eagle Hills founder Mohamed Alabbar signed an investment agreement worth $6.6 billion. The agreement provides for the establishment of a joint venture for large-scale construction in Tbilisi and the Black Sea resort of Gonio. The Georgian side will act as a partner and hold a 33% stake in the joint venture.

On a 600-hectare site in the capital, residential and commercial complexes, including hotels, covering more than 1 million square meters, are planned. Meanwhile, a new premium resort will be built on 250 hectares in Gonio.

By Khagan Isayev