Georgia’s successful first day at World Economic Forum

Meeting international leaders and promoting bilateral relationships was on the Georgian Prime Minister’s mind at the first day of the World Economic Forum in Switzerland.

Irakli Garibashvili’s first day in Davos, Switzerland, ended successfully when one world leader expressed his desire to visit Georgia.

The 44^th World Economic Forum kicked off with a welcome party and dinner hosted by forum co-founders, husband and wife pair Klaus and Hilde Shwab.

Garibashvili attended multiple meetings with world leaders yesterday, including the Prime Minister of Finland and the President of Estonia.

With Finish leader Jyrki Katainen, Garibashvili discussed the relationship between the two countries and agreed on the prospects of it strengthening. Garibashvili thanked his Finish counterpart for supporting Georgia’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and European aspirations.

His next meeting, with Estonian President Toomas Ilves, ended successfully after the Estonian leader expressed his desire to visit Georgia.

Garibashvili promised an invitation to visit Georgia would be sent to the Estonian leader in the near future.

Looking ahead, the Prime Minister is scheduled to have a busy day tomorrow. He is expected to deliver a speech on the topic "Eurasia: The Next Frontier” before a meeting with the President of Kazakhstan, followed by live interviews with international broadcasters CNBC, CNN, BBC and Bloomberg.

Today, Georgia’s Minister of Economy, Giorgi Kvirikashvili, said the World Economic Forum was the best place to meet current and prospective investors of Georgia. He said promoting Georgia’s market to a large number of international business representatives may encourage new investors to invest in the country.

The Prime Minister, Economy Minister and other Georgian leaders are taking part in the forum, being held in Davos from January 22 to 25.

Georgia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs leader Maia Panjikidze, CEO of the Georgian Co-Investment Fund Giorgi Bachiashvili, National Investment Agency Director and CEO of Georgian Railway Mamuka Bakhtadze are also part of the Georgian delegation.

During the forum meetings with leading international companies, such as Lazard, Tata Sons Ltd, Emaar Properties, Jumeirah Group, Blackstone Group, Lafarge, Agility Logistics, AGCO and Maersk are set to take place.