The Krynica Economic Forum: VIPs Discuss Georgia’s Future
Georgia’s capital Tbilisi hosted Poland’s Krynica Economic Forum, dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the First Democratic Republic of Georgia, on May 26.
The Krynica Economic Forum, which is one of the most famous economic forums in Eastern Europe, was opened by the President of Georgia, Giorgi Margvelashvili, Presidents of Poland and Slovakia - Andrzej Duda and Andrej Kiska, and the Prime Minister of Georgia, Giorgi Kvirikashvili.
In his speech, Margvelashvili thanked the Polish and Slovak presidents for participating in the forum, noting that their engagement as friends and partners of Georgia highlights their firm support for the country.
“It is very timely to hold this gathering in Georgia, because our country has great economic potential. In fact, Georgia plays an increasingly important role in East-West economic relations, in terms of energy supplies, especially through projects that will end next year in Europe and become part of its energy security. This also concerns trade routes through which Georgia connects the European and Asian markets. The Black Sea is becoming the center for Eastern economies from which they will export their products,” he stated.
The Georgian President then underlined that in terms of the Ease of Doing Business Index, Georgia is one of the frontrunners, a result of “implementing the right economic policy.”
“Thanks to Georgia’s open and liberal policy and as a result of free trade agreements, investment in Georgia means investing not in a small market of three million, but in huge, strong markets of two billion, including the European Union, China, Turkey and the former Soviet Union countries,” Margvelashvili added.
In his address, PM Kvirikashvili thanked all guests who had come to Georgia to join the country in its celebration of the 100th anniversary of the creation of the First Democratic Republic of Georgia in 1918.
Kvirikashvili stated that Georgia’s goal is to become the regional hub as its geographical location and maritime, railway, air and logistic potential all give the country a chance to achieve this goal.
“We already have free trade agreements with the European Union, China, the European Free Trade Association, Turkey and the CIS countries. Currently, we are negotiating with India, Hong Kong and Israel to establish a free trade regime”, the PM said.
The event was held under the patronage of the President of Georgia. The organizers were the Institute for Eastern Studies and the Georgian Chamber of Industry and Commerce.
The forum gathered up to 250 important guests representing the economic sector, executive, legislative and local governments, experts and journalists from the European Union, the South Caucasus, Iran and Central Asia. Discussions were conducted in two directions – political and economic.
The most important topics of the forum were: the Association Agreement between Georgia and the European Union, opportunities and challenges of the DCFTA, challenges for regional security and the Euro-Atlantic goals of Georgia, running a business in Georgia: pros and cons, energy security challenges in the countries of the EU and Eastern Partnership, Georgia and the South Caucasus with a prospective transit area; and Poland and Georgia in the international arena 100 years after regaining independence.
By Thea Morrison