Georgian, Chinese officials highlight “fruitful” economic relations, discuss future ties
Georgia’s Agriculture Ministry said the officials met in Shanghai where Shamugia said he hoped Georgian wine, with its “8,000 years of development history” - would be established in the Chinese market in a “competitive, premium segment category”. Photo: The Georgian Ministry of Environment Protection and Agriculture/Facebook
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“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 Agriculture Ministry said the officials met in Shanghai where Shamugia said he hoped Georgian wine, with its “8,000 years of development history” - would be established in the Chinese market in a “competitive, premium segment category”.
“Wine is an integral part of our culture, just like tea is for China. We know the importance of specific products being considered not only as an export product, but as a part of our country’s identity”, he said.
The official also highlighted the role of China’s Chamber of Commerce in increasing exports of Georgian wine to the Chinese market.
On his part, Derong noted Georgia had exported the “largest amount of wine” among Central Asian countries to China, with the exports worth about $10 million, between January-September.
Photo via the Georgian Agriculture Ministry's Facebook
He said he hoped for to see further success for the exports through showcase of alcoholic beverages and other agriculture products from Georgia at the China International Import Expo, running in Shanghai.
The sides also noted the role of free trade between their countries in further deepening ties between them.
Led by Shamugia, the Georgian representation at the Shanghai fair 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 the city.
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.
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.
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.
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.