Georgia, Kazakhstan to Offer Joint Logistic Projects
Georgia’s Prime Minister Mamuka Bakhtadze announced that together with Kazakhstan, the country will offer international companies joint logistics projects.
Bakhtadze made the statement during his official working visit to Kazakhstan on May 15-16.
The PM said the two countries together make up a crucial transit axis, adding Kazakhstan is an exceptionally important partner and friend of Georgia.
“Together, we are implementing vital joint projects of regional importance. At the same time, Kazakhstan is one of the largest investors in our economy. Last year, our trade grew 35%. Similarly, our export to Kazakhstan is growing in leaps and bounds, which is commendable, though I believe that there is more untapped potential. Consequently, today a very important agreement was signed:the Roadmap seeking to double the trade between the two countries over the next couple of years," he said.
He noted that with Kazakh officials, he discussed agricultural cooperation, among other fields of cooperation, which will enable Kazakhstan to export more wheat to Georgia.
“In addition, using Georgia's ports will enable Kazakhstan to increase export to the Mediterranean. It is a complex project that requires prudent development, but I am convinced that, together, we will make it work. At the same time, directions have been identified in which we can offer absolutely new products to the international market, such as the chemical industry, for example, and I strongly believe that we will also make concrete success in these directions," he added.
The Prime Minister said the visit was quite productive and expressed his strong belief that it will be a new impetus further deepening the economic and political relations between the two countries.
He also took part in the Astana Economic Forum and discussed Georgia's investment potential and possibilities.
Before that, Bakhtadze had a meeting with his Kazakh counterpart, Askar Mamin, face-to-face and in an extended format too.
The meeting underlined the importance of tapping into the potential of more active bilateral economic ties, and the role of the two countries' Intergovernmental Economic Commission in this process. According to the parties, Georgia and Kazakhstan are good traditional partners who have jointly implemented numerous far-reaching projects, though it is certainly possible to achieve much more.
The Georgian delegation welcomed Kazakh investors' interest in teaming up with Georgian partners to invest in logistics and to develop different types of processing enterprises.
The parties signed the Memorandum on Social Labor and Agricultural Cooperation, an Agreement Protocol on Automobile Transport between the Government of Georgia and the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan, and the 2019-2020 Roadmap for Enhancing Goods Nomenclature between the Republic of Kazakhstan and Georgia.
During the meeting with the President of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, focus was put on the performance of the Inter-Governmental Commission of the two countries, which is mandated to find ways for doubling the trade volumes.
Active cooperation and achievements made in the area of investments was praised. One of the topics of discussion was the intensified cooperation between the marine ports of the two countries.
Tokayev extended advance congratulations to Prime Minister Bakhtadze on the Independence Day of Georgia celebrated on May 26, and wished prosperity to the people of Georgia.
In addition, Bakhtadze met with Chairwoman of the Senate of the Republic of Kazakhstan Dariga Nazarbayeva. The conversation focused on the friendly relations and successful investment cooperation between the two countries.
By Thea Morrison
Image source: PM’s Press Office