Economy minister: We “greatly appreciate” efforts of Georgia’s honorary consuls serving to promote investment, business environment of country

The Honorary Consulate Institute is particularly important for Georgia, including in presenting the country “positively” in the international arena, disseminating objective information, sharing investment and tourism potential, as well as increasing awareness, Levan Davitashvili, the economy minister and vice prime minister said on Sunday at the thematic panel on economic diplomacy within the framework of the conference of Honorary Consuls of Georgia - Cooperation for Strong Partnership.

At the conference held by the foreign ministry, Davitashvili said that honorary consuls’ “purposeful and proactive” activities would make a “significant” contribution to the implementation of the 12-point conditions established by the European Council for granting Georgia  the European Union membership candidate status, which involved the sustainable, “stable” development and prosperity of the country.

Davitashvili stressed the world has been facing “many unexpected and complex challenges”, including the “unprecedented and severe” pandemic and geopolitical challenges that affected security and economy, as well as humanitarian and ecological aspects, and highlighted the “greatest importance” of “thoughtful and balanced” international cooperation, as well as enhancing relations with partners and strengthening ties with “other participants of the world community”, the economy ministry said.

Georgia, as never before, is closer to its historical aspiration to become a member of [...] the EU and NATO. The progress of our country towards the big European family is a guarantee of increased economic engagement with the EU and its member states, and increased economic interactions with Europe, which means more jobs, a growing economy, and the development of not only our country but also the region", the economy minister noted.

Davitashvili emphasised the importance of Georgia’s energy, transport-logistics, tourism and investment potential, “especially” against the background of geopolitical challenges, which has “further increased” the function of the country as a “connecting link” of the East, South and West in the region, and said Georgia has “repeatedly proved” being a “reliable partner” of the civilised world.

The vice prime minister expressed hope that all honorary consuls would “actively promote” Georgia as a country with the “best investment and business environment” in their countries of residence and noted he “highly appreciated” their efforts made in this direction.

At the thematic panel, the reforms facilitating the set-up of business and investments in Georgia were highlighted. The honorary consuls got acquainted with the foreign trade policy, international trade agreements and existing trade regimes in force in the country, the ministry said, adding that “special attention” was paid to Georgia's involvement in international transit and energy projects.