China Int’ Import Expo opens with Georgian delegation led by Agriculture Minister
The Georgian Ministry said Shamugia highlighted the strategic partnership announced between the two countries during Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili’s visit to China earlier this year, which he said would raise the relations “to an even higher level”. Photo: The Ministry of Agriculture of Georgia
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A Georgian delegation led by the country’s Agriculture Minister Otar Shamugia on Sunday featured in the opening ceremony of China International Import Expo, an import industry fair looking to facilitate strengthening of economic cooperation and trade between participating states.
The Georgian Ministry said Shamugia highlighted the strategic partnership announced between the two countries during Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili’s visit to China earlier this year, which he said would raise the relations “to an even higher level”.
The efforts of the governments of both countries to deepen cooperation are of great importance [and the] activity and initiatives of private companies play an important role in this process”, Shamugia said.
Hosted at the Georgian pavilion for the fair by Shamugia, Ling Ji, the Chinese Vice Minister and Deputy International Trade Representative, said the Georgian delegation’s “high-level” visit to the fair “confirmed” the strategic partnership between the states and provided a basis for “closer cooperation”.
Photo: The Ministry of Agriculture/Facebook
Ji expressed readiness of China to promote deepening of trade relations, especially through exports of Georgian wine to the Chinese market.
Organised by Enterprise Georgia, the state agency promoting entrepreneurship, investment and exports, up to 40 Georgian companies are being represented at the fair, including producers of Georgian wines, non-alcoholic beverages, agriculture products, leather goods, accessories and children's clothes.
The Georgian Innovation and Technology Agency, the National Tourism Administration and National Wine Agency, the Mountain Trails Agency and Georgian Railway are featured at the fair, with visitors to the Georgian pavilion introduced to tourism, investment and transport potential of the country.
The Georgian representation at the event also includes deputy economy ministers Genadi Arveladze and Irakli Nadareishvili, Enterprise Georgia Director Mikheil Khidureli, Georgia’s Ambassador to China Archil Kalandia and Parliamentary representatives Gela Samkharadze and Zaal Dugladze.
Governments and business delegations from over 150 countries are participating in the fair set to run until Friday at the National Exhibition and Convention Centre in Shanghai.
Mikheil Khidureli, the CEO of Enterprise Georgia, the state agency promoting entrepreneurship, investment and exports, on Wednesday said the Agency was supporting the participation of 40 companies in a “major” exhibition in China to help them forge “crucial business connections” with international partners.
The Georgian National Tourism Administration, 20 travel companies and hotels from the country are featuring in World Travel Market, one of the world’s largest tourism fairs hosted in London between Monday and Wednesday.
Georgia was highlighted in Sommet De L'elevage, one of the largest exhibitions of the livestock industry in Europe, as an Honoured Guest, the Ministry of Agriculture said on Thursday.
The National Wine Agency will spend ₾2 million ($756,000) on promoting Georgian wine at international industry fairs and domestic events throughout 2023, the body said on Tuesday.
“Close and fruitful” economic cooperation between China and Georgia, and future ties between the countries were highlighted in a meeting between Otar Shamugia, the Georgian Agriculture Minister and Cao Derong, the President of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce of Import and Export of Foodstuffs, Native Produce and Animal By-Products Cao Derong on Wednesday.
Georgia’s deputy economy ministers Genadi Arveladze and Irakli Nadareishvili on Thursday highlighted the International Import Expo, an import industry fair looking to facilitate strengthening of economic cooperation and trade between participating states, as the “best platform” for Georgian companies to present products to Chinese consumers and importers.
Twenty-seven Georgian companies are participating in ProWine Shanghai, a leading international trade fair for wines and spirits hosted in China's biggest city, with the support of the Georgian National Wine Agency.
Mikheil Khidureli, the CEO of Enterprise Georgia, the state agency promoting entrepreneurship, investment and exports, on Thursday said Chinese importers were showing an “unprecedented interest” in Georgian products showcased at the International Import Expo running in Shanghai between Sunday and Friday.