Georgian PM, Chinese Vice President discuss expanding trade, investment and business cooperation

Georgia’s Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze and Chinese Vice President Han Zheng on Sunday met with representatives of the Georgian and Chinese business communities at an official reception organised by the Georgian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

The event focused on the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries and the positive momentum in the development of bilateral trade and economic relations.

Kobakhidze highlighted the importance of Han Zheng’s visit to Georgia, stressing that economic cooperation, trade and Chinese investment had grown significantly in recent years.

“We attach exceptional importance to the development of relations between Georgia and China. We are pleased that economic cooperation between the People’s Republic of China and Georgia has expanded significantly in recent years, as reflected in concrete figures. Trade is growing rapidly, and investment from China into Georgia is also increasing”, he said.

“We will continue to create all the necessary conditions for Chinese businesses to operate successfully in our country. We will do our utmost to further deepen the trade and economic partnership between the two countries”, the Prime Minister continued.

Kobakhidze also emphasised the close political ties between the two countries, noting that the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Agreement had opened up new opportunities for bilateral cooperation.

“We are also pleased to have such a close political partnership. Several years ago, we signed a Strategic Partnership Agreement, and very recently, an agreement on a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. All the results we are discussing are a tangible reflection of this political cooperation”, Kobakhidze noted.

“However, we do not want to rest on what has been achieved so far. We seek to further advance our strategic partnership and strengthen the friendship between our countries and peoples. Naturally, the Vice President’s visit to Georgia will contribute to taking our relations to an even higher level”, he added.

Chinese Vice President Han Zheng, in turn, highlighted the fruitful cooperation between China and Georgia, pointing to steady growth in bilateral trade and expanding investment ties.

“China and Georgia are countries with ancient histories and civilizations. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations, ties between our countries have developed dynamically, while practical cooperation across various fields has yielded significant results”, he said.

“In June this year, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Georgian President Mikheil Kavelashvili jointly announced the elevation of bilateral relations to the level of a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. This decision opened up new prospects for the development of China-Georgia relations”, the Vice President continued.

Han Zheng added that his meetings with the Georgian President and Prime Minister had been highly sincere, friendly and productive.

“The enthusiasm demonstrated by Georgia’s leadership and representatives of various sectors of society for advancing China-Georgia relations made a strong impression on us and provided significant encouragement”, he said.

“Today, as the global political and economic order undergoes profound and complex changes, the challenges facing national development and international free trade are growing. In these circumstances, strengthening cooperation is becoming increasingly important and requires greater foresight”, the Vice President continued.

He also noted that Georgian agricultural products were gaining greater access to the Chinese market, while Chinese-made products, particularly new energy vehicles, were becoming increasingly popular in Georgia.

Han Zheng further highlighted the importance of the bilateral free trade agreement, noting that the two countries had signed a protocol updating the agreement in April this year.

He expressed China’s readiness to increase imports of high-quality Georgian products and support Chinese companies seeking to invest and expand their operations in Georgia.

Georgia’s Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development, Mariam Kvrivishvili, also addressed the event, highlighting the growing momentum in bilateral trade and economic cooperation.

The reception was opened by Georgian Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Giorgi Pertaia. Zheng Hongbin, Chairman of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, also delivered remarks.

Representatives of the Georgian and Chinese business communities attended the event.