Japanese investors explore Georgia, promote mutual trade
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A group of Japanese investors are visiting Georgia to learn about the country’s business environment and promote mutual trade and investment between Japan and Georgia.
Investors from the Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO), a non-profit, government-funded organisation arrived in Georgia yesterday and will meet local authorities before departing on November 6.
The JETRO delegation included officials from large Japanese companies such as Itochu Oil Exploration, Yoshioka Kiko Co. Ltd, Mayekawa Middle East FZCO, Sumitomo Corporation, Hitachi Zosen Europe Ltd, Hazama Ando Corporation, Fujikura Automotive Europe, United Genetics Turkey Tohum Fide A.S., Yoshioka Kiko Co. Ltd.
The Japanese investors are mainly interested in the trade sector and investing in car manufacturing [and in the] in food industry,” said Georgia’s Deputy Economy Minister Ketevan Bochorishvili after meeting the JETRO delegation yesterday.
The Japanese side were also interested in trade, oil, construction, heavy industry, manufacturing and food and beverages.
The JETRO delegation, invited by the Georgian National Investment Agency (GNIA), will continue business meetings today and tomorrow.
Later today the group will visit the Rakia Free Industrial Zone and Poti Sea Port in western Georgia, while tomorrow the investors will visit Batumi and hold meetings at the Ministry of Finance and Economy of Adjara.
Afterwards the delegates will visit Batumi Oil Terminal.
Japan is supporting Georgia’s transformation into a regional transport and logistics hub by offering the country $38 million USD.
Georgia - as a corridor linking Europe and Asia – is a very important country for Japan. Georgia’s Parliament Speaker David Usupashvili said this after he met Japanese parliament officials in Tokyo today.
Georgia and Japan are working to simplify visa procedures for Georgian citizens wanting to travel to Japan. In the meantime, Japan will lift its visa regime for Georgian citizens who hold diplomatic passports.
A Japanese government agency who assists economic and social growth in developing countries is interested in helping Georgia develop its agricultural, tourism and eco-tourism sectors.
Georgia’s Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili has attended an official reception hosted by the Japanese Embassy in Georgia celebrating Japan’s National Day – the Emperor’s birthday.
In a bid to attract 3.5 billion GEL in investments for infrastructure projects over the next four years, Georgia plans to seek aid from Japanese financial institutions.