Georgia was selected to develop proposal for package of grants under the U.S. Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) program for second time, MCC board of directors decided on January 5.

The first USD 295.3 million five-year aid program under the MCC was signed between Georgia and the U.S. in September, 2005. An additional USD 100 million was allocated under the program in 2008.

“At the meeting, the Board selected Ghana and Georgia as eligible to develop proposals for new compacts.  These second compacts are contingent on successful completion of first compacts, continued good policy performance, development of proposals that have significant potential to promote economic growth and reduce poverty, and availability of funding,” MCC said after the meeting of its board of directors.

The major part of the first MCC aid was allocated for Samtskhe-Javakheti road rehabilitation (USD 209 million); North-South gas pipeline rehabilitation (USD 49.5 million) and various regional infrastructure development projects (USD 57.7 million).

Georgian Prime Minister’s spokesman, Nikoloz Mchedlishvili, said that priorities of the new aid proposal had yet to be outlined. He, however, said that one of the targets would be allocation funds for construction and development of Institute of Technology in Batumi.

“On behalf of the PM and the Georgian government I want to thank the U.S. government and the U.S. people for this aid,” Mchedlishvili said in televised comments on January 6.