MINISTRY OF ECONOMY
AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
OF GEORGIA

“Strategic cooperation with China is very important for Georgia, the close partnership between our countries has been developing even more dynamically recently, and in order to maintain this relationship at a high level, strong support from both countries is of utmost importance, including in terms of cooperation in strategically important projects,” –  the First Vice Prime Minister, Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development Levan Davitashvili said during the meeting with the Vice Premier of People's Republic of China, China, Ding Xuexiang, held in Beijing.

As Levan Davitashvili highlighted, with its favorable location, Georgia is not only the beneficiary of the regional connection, but also has the potential to facilitate the establishment of even more effective connection between Asia and Europe.

“We are working closely together with our partner countries for the development and strengthening of the transport links between Europe and Asia. In the context of the development of the Middle Corridor, the transport and logistics infrastructure is the main priority of the country - this is reflected in specific large infrastructure projects, and one of the examples of this is the development of the Anaklia Deep Sea Port,” – the First Vice Prime Minister noted.

The Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development emphasized the potential that exists between the two countries in terms of deepening cooperation in various sectors of the economy. According to Davitashvili’s assessment, the Free Trade Agreement signed between Georgia and China significantly contributed to the growth of trade turnover, including exports, and investment flows between the two countries as well as to the deepening of cooperation in such sectors a telecommunications, financial services, tourism and other strategically important directions.

“In 2023, over 98 million USD were invested from China, which is by 125% higher figure than of the previous year. It should also be emphasized that China is one of the strategically important destinations for the promotion of Georgia’s tourist potential - last year, the number of Chinese tourists in Georgia increased to a record level compared to 2022, and we think that visa-free travel and expansion of direct flights will further promote tourist flows and strengthen economic relations,” – the First Vice Prime Minister highlighted.

At the meeting with the Vice Premier of China, Levan Davitashvili emphasized the importance and further strengthening of investment cooperation between the two countries. Davitashvili stressed that Georgia welcomes Chinese investors to take advantage of the country’s geographical location and liberal trade regimes to grow their businesses, including in such sectors as construction, banking and finance, hospitality, real estate, manufacturing and energy.

The First Vice Prime Minister of Georgia was on a working visit to Beijing together with the Georgian delegation. Deputy Ministers Mariam Kvrivishvili, Genadi Arveladze and Irakli Nadareishvili, as well as the Ambassador of Georgia to the People’s Republic of China, Paata Kalandadze also attended the meeting with the Vice Premier of China.