The FINANCIAL — Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development Giorgi Gakharia together with Kakha Kaladze met with the representatives of the construction and development companies.
The amendments to the 41st Government Resolution of January 28, 2006 (Technical Regulation – Buildings Safety Rules) prepared by the Ministry of Economy in cooperation with the Tbilisi City Hall were discussed at the meeting.
The Regulation deals with the design, construction and operation of the existing buildings as well as on-going constructions, reconstructions and demolition works (without covering Class II buildings and linear structures. The goal of the amendments is to ensure minimum safety conditions for public health, safety and common welfare, protection of life and property from fire and other threats, as well as safety of firefighters and rescuers during the emergency situations.
Special attention was paid to the development regulation plan. According to the Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development, Giorgi Gakharia, during the elaboration of the Resolution, members of the Developers Association and the construction specialists offered certain opinions. “Actually, there are problems and we have worked together on them to elaborate these amendments. Amendments imply the simplifications, which requires the builders and developers to observe follow the safety standards during the construction process. However, the principal issues that are targeted at consumers’ needs are the basic safety norms and, of course, we gave it the due consideration. It is important to note that during the adoption of the 41st Resolution, the plan of regulation was already approved by the bodies involved in the field,” – Giorgi Gakharia noted.
The Minister highlighted that the most important achievement of the meeting is the following agreement with the companies – the amended 41st Resolution will apply to already approved development regulation plans, according to Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia.
“This is principally important because it allows Tbilisi and other municipalities to elaborate and develop the construction policy as well as to implement it. Otherwise, with the existing development regulatory plans, most of the residential building remained behind this policy. This is the main agreement between the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development, the City Hall and the representatives of the field, which we have achieved together today. I think this is a solid step forward. We plan to cooperate in the future since the construction is one of the most important sectors for the economy of the country,” – the Minister explained.
The CEO of the Redix Group, Lasha Papashvili named the desire of cooperation the most important aspect. “I think this was a very productive meeting. Every meeting is going to be productive when the opinion of the private sector is understood. We all find that the Capital should not have the visual appearance it has today. It is unacceptable to have such unfurnished building and to save on exterior design or the façade. We request severe regulations regarding this issue. The Government offered this initiative and we completely support it,” – Lasha Papashvili said.
According to Ilia Tsulaia, the founder of the Archi Group, it will be easier to receive construction permits as well as to do the business, if the bureaucracy procedures are reduced. “Of course, it is necessary to have strict regulations aiming at protection of interests of the citizens and property-owners as well as at increasing the safety standards during the fire situation. I would like to note that I am rather aware about these issues and honest builders have been operating following these standards but there are some constructors, who paid little attention to it. This was the point, when they enter into the dishonest competition with the honest players. This standard will be obligatory for everyone and will protect the interests and the safety of every citizen. The main massage of the developers today is that all the future constructions, their facades, their quality will be of a very high standard corresponding to our capital. Tbilisi should be better and even more beautiful than it is today,” – Ilia Tsulaia commented.
“This is a very well-prepared document. We have been working with the Government for three years now and we have been informed about these amendments in details. Many of our remarks and opinions are already taken into consideration. The focus here is on the construction and fire safety norms, etc. This is a document of international standards. We should start one day and this is the very time for Georgia,” – the Head of the Developers Association, Irakli Rostomashvili noted.
Before the implementation of the 41st Resolution, the Government held a number of meetings with the representatives of the construction industry. Public discussions were also held during the amendment elaboration process. There were trainings for the architects and the specialists of the administrative services, as well as the seminars for the preparation of the experts, which prepared the background for implementation of the Regulation.
It should be noted that consultations with companies employed in the field are still active. The Ministry constantly monitors the implementation of the amendments. Consultations with the relevant structures, developers, architects and experts of the self-governing bodies about the possible challenges associated with new Regulations are in its active phase.