Economy Minister says Gov’t paying “special attention” to strengthening Georgia’s transit function
Georgian Economy Minister Levan Davitashvili on Wednesday spoke at the session of Promotion of High-Level Trade Ties in Beijing, China. Photo: Ministry of Economy
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Georgian Economy Minister Levan Davitashvili on Wednesday said the Government was paying “special attention” to strengthening the country's transit function.
Speaking at the session of Promotion of High-Level Trade Ties in Beijing, China, Davitashvili said Georgia was the “only country in the region” to have free trade agreements with both the European Union and China.
It should be emphasised that the Georgia-China free trade agreement not only strengthens the trade and economic ties between the two countries, but also has wider regional benefits”, the Minister said.
He also highlighted the role of the Middle Corridor, a transportation route network connecting China with Europe through the South Caucasus region, by saying it was “gaining attractiveness as a viable alternative” given the growing need to diversify supply chains.
Davitashvili said Georgia had a “liberal trade and economic policy”, simplified customs procedures, and could “proudly present itself as a catalyst” for simplified trade and transport infrastructure which provided the shortest route from East Asia to Europe.
Priority areas of economic cooperation were discussed on Monday in a meeting between Georgian Economy Minister Levan Davitashvili and Wang Wentao, the Chinese Minister of Commerce, the Georgian Ministry of Economy said.
Economic cooperation and prospects of deepening partnership between Georgia and China were discussed on Friday in a meeting between the Georgian Economy Minister Levan Davitashvili and Ling Ji, the Chinese Vice Minister and Deputy International Trade Representative.
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili highlighted the strategic partnership between Georgia and China by calling it a “very important” decision that would yield results for both countries.
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili said in an interview with China Central Televsion the trade turnover between Georgia and China had grown by 400 percent following the signing of the free trade agreement between the two countries in 2018, adding China had “very rapidly” become the third-largest trading partner of Georgia.
Georgian Economy Minister Levan Davitashvili on Wednesday highlighted the Middle Corridor as “an effective way” to strengthen trade between Europe and Asia.
Georgian Foreign Minister Ilia Darchiashvili on Friday said Georgia had “proved itself as a reliable partner” for both the European Union and China.