On 28 October, Meridian Capital NL B.V declared in an open letter to the Georgian Ministry of Infrastructure and Regional Development that it would be unable to invest in the Anaklia deep-sea port venture, reported georgiatoday.

“After the American company Conti International decided to quit the Anaklia deep-sea port project, the Anaklia Development Consortium introduced Meridian Capital NL B.V to the Government of Georgia. October 29, was set as the deadline for the approval of the new investor, which would replace Conti International," the Meridian declaration reads. The Meridian representatives stated that they were unable to participate in the Anaklia Port project as an investor at this stage and asked the Georgian government to suspend all ongoing procedures regarding the approval of Meridian Capital NL B.V.

Two days earlier, Conti International members confirmed that they “reached an agreement to sell its position in the Anaklia Port Project and exit the Consortium”. Meridian was suggested on 16 October to replace Conti’s position at the consortium, alongside the Dutch company Vanord. The Georgian government gave the Consortium until the end of 2019 to finalise agreements with potential investors and financial institutions. They were required to present $520 million in total investments in order to continue with the biggest infrastructure project in Georgia (Caucasus Watch reported).