Georgia to learn from Lithuania’s start-up experience

Georgian Prime Minister Mamuka Bakhtadze stated that his country is eager to share in the Lithuanian experience in terms of start-ups.

Bakhtadze stated today while in Lithuania that the country is regarded as one of the most successful regarding the support provided to start-ups and the creation of a business environment to encourage them.

Georgia is making its first steps towards this end and it is very important for us to share in the experience in this field,” Bakhtadze said.

Lithuanian Prime Minister Saulius Skvernelis stated that his country is ready to help Georgia in this regard.

Georgian-Lithuanian further cooperation in the fields of transport and energy has been discussed. Photo: Prime Minister's press office. 

Our relationship is exemplary. At the same time, we believe that it is possible to further intensify economic cooperation. We have said that Lithuania may be proud of its excellent start-ups, which have increased five-fold over the past years,” Skvernelis said.

He stated that his country has already attracted investment funds of 183 million euros towards this end and “[hopes] that new opportunities will emerge in this field for the cooperation of our countries”.

Speaking about other economic topics Bakhtadze said that he and Skvernelis reviewed “significant regional projects in the energy and transport sectors.”

Their joint implementation will facilitate the boosted transit potential of Georgia and exposure to new markets,” Bakhtadze said.

He stated that trade volumes have been increasing over the past years between the two countries.

The number of visitors to Georgia has also been doubled, which resulted from the direct flights between Vilnius and Kutaisi,” Bakhtadze said.

Skvernelis stated that direct flights between Vilnius and Tbilisi will be launched from April this year, which will facilitate the development of tourism and business contacts.

He also stated that cooperation at the municipal level is “extremely encouraging,” and “half of our 60 municipalities have partners in Georgia”.