Levan Davitashvili, Georgia’s First Vice Prime Minister and Economy Minister, and Ding Xuexiang, the Vice Premier of China, on Thursday discussed deepening cooperation between the countries and highlighted “significant progress” made in bilateral relations during a meeting in Beijing, APA reports citing Agenda.ge.
Davitashvili said his Government’s “strategic cooperation” with China was “very important” for Georgia, noting the partnership between the two nations had been rapidly evolving.
In order to maintain this relationship at a high level, it is very important to have clear support from both countries, including cooperation in strategically important projects”, he said.
The Minister emphasized Georgia's potential to facilitate “more effective connections” between Asia and Europe, citing the country's “favourable location”.
We are closely cooperating with partner countries to develop and strengthen transport links between Europe and Asia. The development of the Middle Corridor [a logistics route connecting Central Asia and China to Europe via the South Caucasus through Georgia] is a top priority for the country, which is reflected in specific large infrastructure projects”, Davitashvili said.
He highlighted the impact of the free trade agreement signed between the two countries in 2017, which, he said, “significantly contributed” to the growth of trade turnover, exports, and investment flows.
In 2023, over $98 million were invested from China, marking a 125 percent year-on-year increase. China is a strategically important destination for promoting Georgia's tourist potential. The number of Chinese tourists in Georgia reached a record level last year compared to 2022. We believe that visa-free travel and the expansion of direct flights will further boost tourist flows and strengthen economic relations”, the Minister added.
Davitashvili also expressed Georgia's commitment to welcoming Chinese investors and emphasised the country's geographical location and “liberal trade regimes” as opportunities for Chinese businesses to expand in construction, banking and finance, hospitality, real estate, manufacturing, and energy.
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