Georgian PM highlights “maximum support, maximum comfort” for Chinese businesses

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili told China Central Televsion the Georgian Government was providing “maximum support” and “maximum comfort” for Chinese companies investing in the country.

In the interview recorded during his visit to China last month and aired today, the PM said Georgia's strategic importance was represented not only in the country’s location between Europe and Central Asia, but also in its “pro-business approach and pragmatic, rational and constructive” foreign policy. 

Garibashvili highlighted the factors that he said could encourage foreign companies, including Chinese businesses, to invest in the country.

According to the World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business criteria, we are number seven in the world. We are the third least tax burdened country in the world. We have very low taxes, low bureaucracy, and low corruption. We are number one in terms of budget transparency. We are one of the freest economies in the world - [...] the 15th freest economy in the world. It all gives more attractiveness to Georgia”, he told the outlet. 

PM Garibashvili delivering his speach at China-Georgia Business Forum. Photo: PM's press office

“Other attractiveness of Georgia is its pro-business Government. My Government is very pro-business, very open”, he said and noted the country had free trade agreements with countries representing more than 2.3 billion consumers. 

“Hypothetically speaking, if Chinese companies open branches [in Georgia] they could easily, without tax barriers, export goods to the European market”, Garibashvili said.

Representatives from Chinese business society at China-Georgia Business Forum. Photo: PM's press office

While in China last month, Garibashvili promoted Georgia’s business environment at the China-Georgia Business Forum, where he described his country’s economy as the “fastest growing” in the world.