CIT Georgia is raising serious concerns over the Ministry of Infrastructure’s proposal to establish a state-run laboratory for the quality control of construction materials and infrastructure projects. Speaking on the TV program ‘Business Course,’ company director Tite Jishiashvili outlined what he described as structural, financial and competitive risks that could undermine the entire sector.
Jishiashvili argued that the creation of a government-controlled laboratory would place the state in direct competition with private labs already operating in the market, threatening their viability and potentially forcing many to shut down. He stressed that this shift could destabilize the current ecosystem where private entities play an important role in ensuring independent and professional testing.
A central issue, he noted, is the conflict of interest created when the same public institution functions both as the customer of infrastructure projects and the inspector of their quality. Jishiashvili also stated that merging these responsibilities risks weakening impartiality and could lead to errors, flawed assessments and blurred lines of accountability. He pointed to international cases in which state-run laboratories issued incorrect evaluations, illustrating the systemic vulnerabilities of such models.
The financial burden of establishing a multifunctional laboratory also poses a significant challenge, he said. While public statements have referenced a budget between one and five million GEL, Jishiashvili warned that the actual cost could reach tens of millions due to the scope of equipment, staffing and infrastructure required.
As an alternative, CIT Georgia is urging the government to adopt a different structure, one in which the Ministry of Infrastructure remains a customer of laboratory services rather than the controlling authority. Jishiashvili argued that this approach would maintain impartial oversight and preserve the critical role of private laboratories in the market while avoiding the operational and systemic risks associated with state-run testing.
