“EU is largest investor in Georgia”, says Janos Herman

The European Union (EU) is the largest investor in Georgia and the biggest trade partner of the country, claims EU Ambassador to Georgia Janos Herman.

Today the EU high official visited Georgia’s capital Tbilisi and attended the ‘European Companies in Georgia: Growing Trade and Investments’ business conference alongside local businessmen.

Investments are one sphere while trade is another. As we can see, since the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA) took effect, the EU has become the largest investor in Georgia meaning that it is the largest trade partner of Georgia,” Herman said.

Georgia signed its Association Agreement (AA), which included the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA), with the EU in June 2014.

When I say the EU I mean its 28 member countries. I expect that this conference will allow us to evaluate what is happening regarding implementation of the free trade agreements,” he added.

Hermann said agriculture was the first sector where the trade was supported in Georgia and other sectors would be gradually included over time.

More and more Georgian agriculture products will have tariff-free access in the EU market. Some Georgian products already appear on supermarket shelves in Sweden and Germany,” he said.

We hope to see more similar successful examples in the future. … Export to the EU requires high standards and quality”.

Herman hoped more Georgian companies would soon be able to export their goods to the EU.