(Yicai Global) Nov. 21 -- China Railway 23rd Construction Bureau has completed construction work on an 8,300-meter railway tunnel between Zestafoni and Sukhumi in Georgia, which is the longest tunnel in the country, CNR News reported today.

The entire 43.9km-long railway line is expected to be completed in 2019 through a total contract value of USD270 million (SF267 million).

It will reduce travel time from the capital Tbilisi to Batumi from more than 5 hours to 3 hours and 20 minutes, while railway cargo capacity will increase to 100 million tons a year.

Promotion between China and Georgia will continue in the future, said Mamuka Bakhtadze, Georgian Minister of Finance. He praised China Railway 23rd Construction Bureau for its construction speed, safety and quality.

The One Belt One Road Initiative Forum will take place in Tbilisi on Nov. 28 and 29.