Georgian-Turkish economic committee discusses trade relations, Georgian export potential, simplification of customs’ procedures
At the meeting, the document which sets out all the main areas of bilateral socio-economic cooperation, specifically in the fields of trade, transport, logistics, investments, energy, and tourism was signed. Photo: Ministry of Economy.
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Georgian Economy Minister Natia Turnava has met with Turkish Trade Minister Ruhsar Pekcan to discuss Georgian-Turkish trade relations, the potential of Georgian export and the simplification of customs’ procedures at a joint economic committee held in Ankara, Turkey yesterday.
Turnava noted that there is significant potential to increase the volume of exports from Georgia to the EU market through the cooperation of Georgian and Turkish businesses.
The parties noted that finalising the procedures of the Diagonal Cumulation between EU, Turkey and Georgia will support Georgian and Turkish businesses increase joint export to the EU market.
The document grants additional possibility to Georgia to increase local manufacture with Turkish raw materials and export these products to the EU through the free trade agreement.
The enactment of a Diagonal Cumulation between EU, Turkey and Georgia will boost investments from Turkey in Georgia, support launching joint ventures and encourage the creation of new jobs," Turnava said.
Turnava said that the agreement about the diagonal cumulation will increase the range of products exported to the EU market, which will be beneficial for both Georgian and Turkish businesses.
Turnava and Pekcan also agreed on the simplification of customs’ procedures.
[Simplifying customs procedures] will increase the competitiveness of the transport corridor passing through [Georgia and Turkey] and will give the opportunity to attract more carriers," Turnava noted.
At the meeting, the document which sets out all the main areas of bilateral socio-economic cooperation, specifically in the fields of trade, transport, logistics, investments, energy, and tourism was signed.
The joint economic committee has not convened since 2005 until now and the decision for it to hold was made at the meeting of Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on October 31.
Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia has met with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan In Ankara earlier today where Erdogan stated that the meeting of the Georgia-Turkey Strategic Partnership Council will be held in the near future in Ankara. The council was created back in 2016 to further strengthen strategic cooperation between the two countries.
Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia has left for Turkey for a one-day visit to meet with top Turkish officials in Ankara, the government of Georgia press office reports. Foreign Minister David Zalkaliani, Economy Minister Natia Turnava and the PM’s advisor for foreign affairs Irakli Chikovani are accompanying Gakharia.
“We have a big responsibility - it is our history and our ancestors who have made the foundation for the friendly relation between Georgian and Armenian people. I am sure we will carry the responsibility worthily. We, the Georgian government, are ready to work hard for bilateral relations to become even more effective,” Gakharia said.
Georgia and Turkey are striving to improve transport cooperation and further develop automobile traffic between the countries.
Georgia-made products that include Turkish raw inputs will be exported to the EU under the Free Trade Agreement as diagonal cumulation, signed between Georgia, EU and Turkey on March 20, 2018 is entering into force ‘in the nearest future’, announces the Ministry of Economy of Georgia.