The President of Georgia visited Kharagauli today with the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Vakhtang Balavadze, and opened a newly built natural gas pipeline by the company “Socar Energy Georgia.” Mikheil Saakashvili symbolically lit a natural gas torch in the center of the region and congratulated the population on the next step towards prosperity. This effort will give a chance to approximately 250 families to use natural gas. 30 local residents were employed at the construction of the pipeline.

The “Socar Energy Georgia” company administered works within the scope of the Presidential program “Gas for Every Village.” Up to 4 kilometers of pipeline have been organized on the first stage. It is planned to build another 13 kilometers by the year 2013. After it is finished 706 families will have a chance to use natural gas. 40 persons will be employed during the planned works.

Later today, the Head of State toured the newly opened sports arena in Kharagauli, which fully complies with modern standards and has capacity to host 500 persons.