Georgian Economy Minister, Chinese Commerce Minister discuss priority areas of economic cooperation
The ministers highlighted the need for a further promotion of the Middle Corridor, a transportation route network connecting China with Europe through the South Caucasus region, to attract new cargo types and large infrastructural projects that would have a “positive impact” on the capacity of the route. Photo: Ministry of Economy
Tweet 
Share
Priority areas of economic cooperation were discussed on Monday in a meeting between Georgian Economy Minister Levan Davitashvili and Wang Wentao, the Chinese Minister of Commerce, the Georgian Ministry of Economy said.
The officials highlighted the action plan of bilateral cooperation between Georgia and China within the Belt and Road Initiative, signed in July during the visit of the Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili to the country, and its implementation.
The meeting also pointed out the “significant changes” in trade statistics between the countries after their signing of the free trade agreement in 2018, with a 94 percent rise in trade turnover in 2022 compared to 2017 and 265 percent increase in exports to $736.9 million. The ministers emphasised the agreement could “bring more benefits” to both countries.
The discussion also covered Georgian wine exports, with the Georgian side noting the Chinese market was “promising” and a “priority” for the country’s wine industry, with 40 Georgian wine houses, shops and salons operating and about 90 domestic wine companies exporting wine to China.
The Georgian Ministry said relations between the countries in “key sectors” such as transport and logistics, as well as energy, tourism and civil aviation were also discussed.
The ministers highlighted the need for a further promotion of the Middle Corridor, a transportation route network connecting China with Europe through the South Caucasus region, to attract new cargo types and large infrastructural projects that would have a “positive impact” on the capacity of the route.
Davitashvili highlighted the project for the development of a deep sea port in the country’s Black Sea town of Anaklia, aiming to create a “new, faster” maritime corridor between China and Europe and helping to restore the historic Silk Road, as well as increase in the frequency of direct air traffic with China and other “priority issues”.
The meeting also emphasised the importance of the decision of Garibashvili last month to establish visa-free travel for Chinese citizens to the country to promote cooperation in tourism. The officials said the decision would contribute to the development of “strong bilateral economic relations” and further increase of tourist flows.
The Georgian Minister also mentioned the Tbilisi Silk Road Forum, set to run in capital Tbilisi between October 26-27 under the patronage of the Prime Minister of Georgia to examine “factors defining regional and global trade and connectivity”.
Davitashvili said the event would feature 2,000 delegates from 60 countries, as well as high-ranking officials and international representatives of financial institutions and businesses, and expressed hope the Chinese side would participate in the Forum.
Economic cooperation and prospects of deepening partnership between Georgia and China were discussed on Friday in a meeting between the Georgian Economy Minister Levan Davitashvili and Ling Ji, the Chinese Vice Minister and Deputy International Trade Representative.
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili on Monday announced visa-free travel to the country for Chinese citizens, citing attracting visitors and mutual economic investments among “main interests” behind the decision.
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili highlighted the strategic partnership between Georgia and China by calling it a “very important” decision that would yield results for both countries.
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili said in an interview with China Central Televsion the trade turnover between Georgia and China had grown by 400 percent following the signing of the free trade agreement between the two countries in 2018, adding China had “very rapidly” become the third-largest trading partner of Georgia.
Archil Kalandia, Georgia’s Ambassador to China, on Monday described Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili’s visit to the country that concluded this week as “historic” and added “no visit of such scale” had taken place since establishment of bilateral ties between the two countries 31 years ago.
Georgian and Chinese Governments on Monday shared their “commitment” to expand cooperation in political, economic and cultural fields, strengthen collaboration in international affairs and bilateral relations, and safeguard regional and world peace, stability and development together in a joint statement on establishing a strategic partnership.
Free Trade Agreement between Georgia and China has come into play on January 1, 2018, making Georgia the first country in the region to have such a deal with China.
Georgian Economy Minister Levan Davitashvili on Wednesday said the Government was paying “special attention” to strengthening the country's transit function.
Georgian Economy Minister Levan Davitashvili on Wednesday highlighted the Middle Corridor as “an effective way” to strengthen trade between Europe and Asia.
Ilia Darchiashvili, the Georgian Foreign Minister, on Friday told the Parliament the Government had acted “in full compliance” with the country’s Constitution when it signed a strategic partnership agreement with China in July without the consent of the Parliament.
Nikoloz Samkharadze, the Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Georgian Parliament, on Friday said the more strategic cooperation agreements the country signed with various governments, the better it was positioning itself to protect its "national interests".
Georgian Economy Minister Levan Davitashvili on Monday said a session of the intergovernmental trade and economic commission between China and Georgia had discussed topics including removal of visa requirements for Georgian citizens.
Nikoloz Samkharadze, the Chair of the Georgian Parliament's Foreign Relations Committee, on Tuesday said China’s position as a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council on Georgia’s territorial integrity was “important and decisive”.