Economy Minister, Japanese Deputy FM discuss economic relations, projects
"There is a very friendly, mutually beneficial cooperation between Georgia and Japan, and the efforts of the authorities of both countries to further strengthen this relationship should be also emphasised", Davitashvili said. Photo via Economy Ministry
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Georgian Economy Minister Levan Davitashvili and Japanese Deputy Foreign Minister Yuumi Yoshikawa on Thursday discussed trade and economic relations between the two countries, as well as progress achieved in this regard over recent years.
The sides emphasised that the trade turnover between Georgia and Japan had increased by 62 percent in the first quarter of 2023, with the positive growth trends recorded in direct investments and tourism, the Economy Ministry said.
Progress of the Anaklia deep-sea port project on the Black Sea coast, as well as the benefits it will bring not only to Georgia but also to the other countries of the region, was also discussed by the officials. It was emphasised that the port’s operation would contribute to the creation of thousands of new jobs, the improvement of the socio-economic status of the local population and the increase of the competitiveness of the transport corridor, as well as the attraction of new cargo flows and development of logistics services.
The Japanese side stressed that the country’s companies showed great interest in making investments in Georgian energy, as well as in creating and developing joint projects, with the Anaklia port project being of interest to them.
The conversation also touched on the Black Sea Submarine Electricity Cable project and its “utmost importance” for Georgia’s energy security. Davitashvili highlighted renewable energy as “one of the priorities” of the Georgian Government and briefed the Japanese Deputy FM on the reforms and projects being implemented in the field of energy.
There is a very friendly, mutually beneficial cooperation between Georgia and Japan, and the efforts of the authorities of both countries to further strengthen this relationship should be also emphasised", Davitashvili said.
He thanked the Japanese Government for its support, noting that Japan was one of the first states that had recognised Georgia's independence back in 1918 and supported its sovereignty. The Georgian Economy Minister added the country was interested in deepening cooperation with Japan and was actively using all platforms for this.