PM hails “close, strategic” ties with Kazakhstan during counterpart’s first official visit

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibahsvili on Friday hailed his Government’s “close” and “strategic” partnership with Kazakhstan at a press briefing with his Kazakh counterpart Alikhan Smailov, who on Thursday arrived in Georgia on his first official visit. 

Garibashvili said he had discussed “all directions of existing cooperation” with the visiting official during their face-to-face meeting earlier today, with a special focus on trade and economic cooperation and investments. 

PM has hosted his Kazakh counterpart at his office in capital Tbilisi. Video: Government press office.

He said exports and trade turnover with Kazakhstan had increased over the years, along with the inflow of tourists, while also noting “significant” Kazakhstani investments in his country. 

For his part, Smailov described Georgia as an “important political and economic partner” in the South Caucasus region and claimed the bilateral cooperation, which he said was “based on friendship and trust”, was developing “dynamically”. 

He said Georgian investments in Kazakhstan had hit $400 million over the past 17 years, while the corresponding number from Kazakhstani businesses had crossed the $530 million mark in Georgia over the years. 

Smailov also noted the trade turnover between the two states increased seven times last year and exceeded $600 million.