Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development, Mariam Kvrivishvili, met with the visiting Turkish Minister of Trade, Ömer Bolat, in Georgia.

The sides discussed priority areas of bilateral trade and economic relations. The discussion covered the development of cooperation between the countries in sectors such as bilateral trade, utilization of the Free Trade Agreement, civil aviation, tourism, and others. Productive cooperation in the field of trade was emphasized, facilitated by the existing free trade regime between the two countries. During the meeting, the Georgian side spoke about products with increased export potential.

“During the meeting, we had the opportunity to discuss possibilities for further deepening trade and economic relations between the two countries. We outlined new plans and joint programs that will contribute to the economic development of both countries, as well as the interconnectedness of private sector representatives operating in our countries and the expansion of their business activities” – Mariam Kvrivishvili noted.

Cooperation between the countries in the field of investments was positively assessed. As noted, Turkey is Georgia’s third largest investor state, with over 2 700 companies operating in the country with Turkish investments. The meeting highlighted that the countries will continue to cooperate in attracting investments. As noted, along with the Turkish Minister of Trade, a Turkish delegation comprising representatives of about 80 companies visited Georgia and participated in a business forum with their Georgian counterparts. The parties agreed to make additional efforts to further strengthen and make cooperation between Georgian and Turkish business circles more productive.

The parties also positively assessed cooperation between the countries in the field of tourism – according to statistics, Turkey is the second country from which the most visitors arrive. The productive relationship in civil aviation was also emphasized – Turkish airlines operate 101 flights per week from Georgian international airports to three airports in Turkey.

The meeting also noted that on July 31 of this year, another meeting of the Intergovernmental Economic Commission between Georgia and Turkey is scheduled, co-chaired by Mariam Kvrivishvili.

Mariam Kvrivishvili invited the Turkish Minister of Trade and the delegation to the fifth International Silk Road Forum, which will be held in Tbilisi on October 22-23 this year. The ministers of the two countries also discussed the importance of holding a trilateral Georgia-Azerbaijan-Turkey Business Forum in Georgia in the nearest future.

Gennadi Arveladze, Deputy Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia, and Giorgi Pertaia, President of the Georgian Chamber of Commerce and Industry also attended the meeting.