PM Bakhtadze: Georgia, Belarus Have Preconditions to Double Trade

The Prime Minister of Georgia, Mamuka Bakhtadze, stated that there exist all the necessary preconditions to double trade turnover between Georgia and Belarus.

Bakhtadze made the statement at the opening of Made in Belarus fair in Tbilisi on Wednesday. The PM opened the fair together with the Deputy Prime Minister of Belarus, Mikhail Rusy, and noted that the fair of Belorussian products gives an excellent opportunity not only for establishing business contacts between Georgian and Belorussian enterprises, but also for Georgian consumers.

“I am thrilled that bilateral trade is increasing. We have agreed today that this is not a maximum benchmark and we have all the preconditions to at least double the trade volumes between the two countries,” the PM added.

He also highlighted that such expositions and business forums should ensure the inflow of additional foreign direct investments (FDI) in Georgia.

“I am confident that the economic cooperation which will be nurtured between Georgia and Belarus in the coming years, is bound to create many jobs both in Belarus and Georgia,” he said.

In parallel with the fair, Tbilisi hosted a Georgian-Belorussian Business Forum which engaged almost 150 Belorussian companies.

In the format of the Georgian-Belarus Business Council, 14 Georgian and 14 Belorussian companies signed agreements to a total value of $2,806,780. Agreements between the parties were signed on large agricultural machinery, elevators, export of Georgian tea and supply of medicines. Agreements were also signed in the field of scientific cooperation.

"I am delighted that we are signing significant trade contracts with Belarus, in line with which joint ventures will be incorporated in Georgia," the PM said.

Before opening the fair, Bakhtadze and Rusy had a face-to-face meeting. The sides discussed a number of issues, including prospects for developing ferry traffic between the countries through Ukraine, opening a joint venture that will produce elevators and tractors, and to deepen cooperation in transport.

A working group of Georgian and Belarusian specialists will create a plan to improve logistical issues in two months that will facilitate the growth of trade between the countries.

Rusyi also said that Belarus is ready to participate in tenders announced for providing new buses to Tbilisi and Batumi.

He added that a group will be created in the capital of Belarus, Minsk, which will work to open a store selling Georgian products in the city. In 2018, trade turnover between Georgia and Belarus amounted to $87.10 million.

By Thea Morrison

Image source: PM’s Press Office