Tbilisi Belt & Road Forum Kicks Off

On November 29, the Tbilisi Belt and Road Forum is to be opened under the patronage of the Prime Minister of Georgia, Giorgi Kvirikashvili. It is jointly organized by the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development and Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia. The International Belt and Road, or as it is also called, the Silk Road Forum, brings together high-profile delegates from 34 countries worldwide, with Prime Minister of Moldova Pavel Filip, Prime Minister of Ukraine Volodymyr Groysman, and Vice Prime Minister of Slovenia, Karl Erjavec, among the numerous public and private sector representatives attending the event.

As the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia states, quoting Genadi Arveladze, Deputy Minister, “Georgia is to become a platform for international dialogue, with the possibility to discuss the links and connections countries have [in order] to develop and increase trade, enhance infrastructure and attract investments”.

“On November 28, high level discussions will begin on both business and political levels, about the issues related to increasing our country’s transit potential,” Arveladze said, noting that Tbilisi Belt and Road Forum is aimed at boosting Georgia’s potential, as a country connecting Europe and Asia.

As a biennial platform for fostering high level private and public-sector dialogue, the Forum, which is to host more than 1000 participants, political figures, diplomats, experts, international organizations and business sector representatives, is seen as a platform for strengthening the economic, political and cultural links between European and Asian countries. The two-day event is to focus on the topics of transport infrastructure development, regional and global trade, e-commerce, regional cooperation opportunities in the energy sector, communication technologies, digital connectivity through panel discussions, B2B meetings; with thematic sessions to be held also.

The Tbilisi Belt and Road Forum started on November 28 at Tbilisi Opera and Ballet Theater. The Prime Minister of Georgia opened the event, addressing the forum participants. On November 29, the Forum is to continue at The Biltmore Hotel, Tbilisi.

Tbilisi Silk Road Forum was initiated and held in 2015, with 34 official delegations and business representatives from 50 countries participating.

Nino Gugunishvili