MINISTRY OF ECONOMY
AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
OF GEORGIA

Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia, Giorgi Gakharia delivered a report at the topical panel Promote Unimpeded Trade which was held within the Belt and Road Global Forum in Beijing, China.

“It is a great honor to me to be here and deliver my report at the panel that is the part of such an important forum. Belt and Road provides vast opportunities in terms of facilitating trade, economic cooperation and sustainable development between the countries. I would like to highlight that Georgia was one of the first states to sign on May 9, 2015, the Memorandum of Cooperation within the framework of the New Silk Road. State of the region are taking important steps forward the development of this project and in this regard we should mention the Free Trade Agreement between Georgia and the People’s Republic of China which was signed yesterday, on May 13,” – Giorgi Gakharia noted in his speech. 

Economy Minister stressed on the fact that Georgia is the first country in the region to achieve Free Trade Regimes with the EU and China. “Issues related to trade and sustainable development are particularly envisaged by the free trade agreements. The Agreement signed between China and Georgia will facilitate not only the enhancing of economic relations between the two countries, but also bring the impressive advantages in terms of regional development. Georgia is becoming a platform for those investors who look forward economic cooperation with European, Asian and South Caucasian countries and benefit from their economic capabilities” – Giorgi Gakharia said.

According to the Minister, since Georgia has a strategic location between the East and the West, Georgian Government is actively working on strengthening the transit capability and role of the country as well as establishing it as a regional trade and logistics hub. Giorgi Gakharia introduced to the panel participants the reforms and projects implemented by Georgian Government that area aimed at Belt and Road project development including such significant projects as Anaklia Deep Sea Port, Baku–Tbilisi–Kars Railway, modernization of the existing railway lines, high-speed highway construction, etc. “We believe that Georgia, with its strategic location, well developed transport and customs infrastructure, business-friendly policy together with its regional and trade-economic relations, will play a significant role in development of economic relations between Europe and Asia and in freight transportation from China to Europe as well as from Europe to China in a very short terms” – the Minister told to the panel participants. 

Georgian Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development concluded his speech by highlighting the importance of cooperation between the Belt and Road project participant states and inviting the panel participants to the Tbilisi Forum, which is scheduled in November, 2017. “Georgia was the first country that, upon the cooperation with China, held the large-scale meeting – Tbilisi Silk Road Forum, in October of 2015 and the delegations from 34 countries participated in it. Next Forum is scheduled to be held in November, 2017. I would like to take this opportunity and invite you to this important event, which is the logical prolongation  of this Forum in China,” – Giorgi Gakharia stated.

Over 1500 delegates, including 29 heads of the states, attended the International Forum – Belt and Road in Beijing. First Vice Prime Minister Dimitry Kumsishvili, Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development Giorgi Gakharia, Deputy Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development Genadi Arveladze, CEO of the Partnership Fund David Saganelidze and representatives of the business sectors represented Georgia at the Forum.