The FINANCIAL — December was quite busy in terms of business negotiations. Tbilisi hosted trade missions from the United Kingdom, Belgium and the Netherlands.
The FINANCIAL — December was quite busy in terms of business negotiations. Tbilisi hosted trade missions from the United Kingdom, Belgium and the Netherlands. Representatives of more than 30 European companies visited Georgia which were followed by further meetings and agreements. Representatives of diplomatic missions in Georgia believe that the new government will improve the investment climate in the country.
“The Georgian economy was monopolized in the field of advertising, petrol, medicine. The economy was becoming politicized during the former regime,” said Angel Samura, Deputy Head of Mission at the Dutch Embassy.
“There are opportunities in Georgia because there is always something going on,” said Juan Echanove, Agriculture Attaché, EU Delegation.
“Our idea is to have a type of horizontal corridor here. We have Georgia, Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan,” said Luc Truyens, the Ambassador of Belgium.
Agriculture, Import-export, Remount Control Systems, Nutrition and Food Ingredients, Performance Materials, Broadcasting Systems, Law and Consulting Services are the top spheres of the activities of the companies that visited. The representatives of the trade mission see possibilities for their companies to do business with Georgian partners.
“It was more than just a traditional general forum full of lots of presentations and speeches,” said Ambassador Konstantin Zaldastanishvili, Secretary General, EU-Georgia Business Council (EUGBC). “After the individual consultations with European companies, special programmes were made for them to become better acquainted with the country’s potential. European companies conducted meetings with Georgian ones and ministries as well. We are looking forward to the results of the meetings and the trade missions. We are glad that after returning to their home countries the European companies sent specific proposals to the Georgian companies. This means that contacts are been established and negotiations are already underway. One of the large Dutch companies intends to establish representatives which will serve Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan at the same time,” he added.
“The British Embassy was pleased to arrange a three day visit to Georgia by a UK trade mission,” said Doug McMillan, Deputy Head of Mission at the British Embassy in Georgia. “We hosted a diverse group, representing top British expertise in a variety of fields ranging from infrastructure, construction and education to IT, medal design and consultancy. During their time in Tbilisi, the mission met government ministers, international financial experts and potential local business partners. We were pleased to learn this week that the visit has already resulted in positive further follow-up meetings and has produced real potential for partnerships between British and Georgian firms,” he added.
While describing the business climate in Georgia Dutch and Belgian Ambassadors, and representatives from EU Delegations to Georgia expressed their hope that the new government will improve the business climate in the country.
“Georgia is trying to create legislation which will meet European standards,” said Angel Samura, Deputy Head of Mission at the Dutch Embassy.
“The New Prime Minister and new government are paying a lot of attention to the country’s economic development. If you want to develop a country further and have a peaceful social environment it is important to have growth.
The microeconomic figures for the next year are not bad. We expect more political and economic stability here. This government recognises the past criticisms of the business community concerning a number of issues.
The Georgian economy was monopolized in the field of advertising, petrol, medicine. This was not good for competition and pricing. The economy was becoming politicized during the former regime. The new government is really trying to overcome all these problems. This government intends to get closer to the European Union and have free trade relations. We are glad that the new government wants to normalize its relationship and commercial link with Russia again. If they are more or less able to implement what they have promised, it will have a very positive impact on the business climate here,” he added.
“Our idea is to have a type of horizontal corridor here. We have Georgia, Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan,” said Luc Truyens, Ambassador of Belgium. “Let’s compare the economic development between Georgia and Azerbaijan. Georgia is a less rich country than Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan is like a lake that has a lot of water in it. But the lake is water that is standing still. The money is coming in and is being invested but you do not see perspective. That is the main difference these two countries as Georgia is like a river that is growing. There is a flow of money. In the long run the river is producing more money than the lake. That is why Georgia is a very good country to come and invest in. Foreign companies are much more welcome here than in other countries. This is good for Georgia. I have seen big will from the new government to develop an export-oriented economy, to improve relations with Russia. They want to add water to the river,” he added.
“There are opportunities in Georgia because there is always something going on,” said Juan Echanove, Agriculture Attaché, EU Delegation. “This is a country which is greatly changing right now in a very positive way. The priorities and the policies of the country are changing in many ways. I am glad that agriculture has become one of the most prioritized fields. This is a country with a strong agricultural orientation historically. I am very optimistic about the future of Georgia,” he added.
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