Georgia, Saudi Arabia to form joint business council, Tbilisi to support Riyadh hosting Expo 2030
Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud, Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince and Prime Minister, has hosted the Georgian PM at Al-Yamamah Palace. Photo: Government press office
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Georgia and Saudi Arabia have agreed to launch a joint business council to further strengthen their bilateral economic cooperation, while Tbilisi has also pledged support for Riyadh’s candidacy to host the Expo 2030 International Exhibition.
Following Wednesday’s meeting of Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili with Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud, Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince and Prime Minister, at Al-Yamamah Palace in Riyadh, the sides highlighted “distinguished bilateral relations” and plans to further strengthen ties in a number of sectors.
Joint business council for “mutual benefit”
The two governments have announced the launch of a joint business council for strengthening business and economic cooperation.
The officials stressed the importance of enhancing economic and commercial cooperation by diversifying mutual trade and raising the level of joint investments, noting a “pivotal role” of the private sector in increasing the pace of economic ties between them.
After encouraging entrepreneurs from both countries to take advantage of “existing investment opportunities”, the PMs highlighted the significance of adequate investment conditions for the sector, intensified mutual visits, and periodic hosting of investment and business forums.
Grateful to HRH Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud, Crown Prince & PM of ???????? for the warm welcome & productive talks in the frames of my visit to ????????. Discussed current regional & global challenges & the possibility of expanding ???????? - ???????? partnership in areas of our common interest. pic.twitter.com/74C1Pb4lDI
— Irakli Garibashvili (@GharibashviliGe) December 22, 2022
Tbilisi “confident” Saudi Arabia will offer “distinguished version” of 2030 World Expo
Garibashvili said he had “high expectations” Saudi Arabia was capable of hosting the 2030 World Expo fair with the “best levels of innovation” and providing an “extraordinary experience” in the history of the global event, after pledging his Government's support for the candidacy of the country’s capital to host the occasion.
PMs agree to strengthen energy cooperation
Pointing out the importance of stability in global oil markets, Garibashvili welcomed efforts of Riyadh in the direction, with the sides expressing their desire to strengthen cooperation in renewable energy, electric interconnection, innovative use of hydrocarbon resources and energy efficiency.
The head of the Georgian Government also welcomed the launch of the Saudi Green and Middle East Green initiatives, and expressed his support for the country's efforts to combat climate change.
The officials also emphasised the need to develop and implement climate agreements by “focusing on emissions rather than sources”.
They also agreed to boost partnership in industrial and mining sectors and welcomed the development of a bilateral cooperation in agriculture, livestock, fisheries, forests and national parks.
#Georgia supports #SaudiArabia’s bid to host Expo 2030, said Prime Minister @GharibashviliGe during visit to #Riyadh https://t.co/v7bK6a1kqD pic.twitter.com/9caIkPNiVe
— Arab News (@arabnews) December 22, 2022
Both sides expressed their willingness to foster mutually beneficial cooperation and to further develop bilateral framework in these sectors”, the Government press office said.
Support for sustainable tourism for benefitting the sector
Stressing the importance of developing tourism in the two countries, the top officials agreed to encourage work for sustainable tourism, which they said “benefits the sector and its development”. They also said the governments would intensify cooperation in related sectors, including communication, digital economy and innovation.
In reference to the health sector, the PMs affirmed their readiness to support global initiatives with the aim of addressing current and future pandemics as well as health threats and challenges.
Education, people-to-people relations in focus
The officials confirmed the importance of upgrading the level of existing cooperation in the fields of education, scientific research and innovation, and to encourage direct communication between universities and scientific and research institutions.
They also agreed to work on creating cooperation opportunities in the fields of sport and youth.
#WATCH: #SaudiArabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman hosts a reception ceremony for the Prime Minister of #Georgia Irakli Garibashvili (@GharibashviliGe) at Al-Yamamah Palace https://t.co/v7bK6a1kqD pic.twitter.com/VHPR3Tdiif
— Arab News (@arabnews) December 21, 2022
Russia-Ukraine conflict, security challenges
While discussing the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict and related security challenges, the officials affirmed their willingness to strengthen cooperation and coordination for questions of “mutual interest”, including combating “all forms of crimes”, exchanging experiences and training to ensure security in their countries.
Both sides reiterated their determination to continue efforts to “maintain international peace and security” and stressed the importance of solving conflicts peacefully.
Garibashvili praised Saudi authorities for ensuring humanitarian aid to Ukraine and their recent approval of a $400 million additional humanitarian assistance package for the country.
The Georgian official also commended the host country for its efforts to end the war in Yemen.