Public Lecture: Free Economic Zone in Batumi 1878–1886
3 June 2025
On June 2, 2025, a public lecture titled "Free Economic Zone in Batumi, 1878–1886" was held at BNTU. The lecture was delivered by Aleksandre Chkhaidze, doctor of history and research associate at the Nobel Brothers Batumi Technological Museum.
The speaker discussed developments in the city of Batumi following the end of Ottoman rule, explained the concept of a free economic zone and elaborated on why Batumi was declared a porto-franco. The lecture covered both the advantages and disadvantages of this model, as well as the business entities and individuals who played a key role in the process