Deputy Economy Minister: passenger, cargo transportation deal with China to facilitate Middle Corridor

Georgian Deputy Economy Minister Guram Guramishvili said the passenger, cargo transportation deal with China would contribute to the development of the Middle Corridor. Photo: Ministry of Economy

Agenda.ge, 22 Dec 2023 - 12:35, Tbilisi,Georgia

Georgian Deputy Economy Minister Guram Guramishvili on Friday said the Agreement on International Passenger and Freight Transportation, reached with China, would contribute to the development of the Middle Corridor - a multimodal transport corridor connecting China to Europe through the South Caucasus - and boost trade between the countries. 

From today, carriers registered in Georgia who transport cargo by land are given the opportunity to carry out direct transport operations in the territory of China. [This will] significantly increase the competitiveness of Georgian carriers in new markets”, Guramishvili said.

He added the development of the Middle Corridor as well as other transport routes passing through Georgia was a “priority” of the Georgian Government's economic policy. 

Our goal is to promote smooth traffic between countries and attract additional cargo flows by developing the mentioned transport routes. Such initiatives create new opportunities for Georgian carriers and exporter and importers, which is also very important”, Guramishvili said.

The Ministry of Economy said the agreement would facilitate attracting additional cargo routes to Georgia and encourage the introduction of Georgian products to the Chinese market through reduction of transportation costs and shipping time. 

The body shared statistical data of the first 10 months of the year that showed about 528,900 tonnes of cargo were transported between the countries by road and sea, registering a 4.1 percent increase year-on-year.