PM says Georgia has the chance to become logistical centre for Europe and Asia

Georgia is trying to make close ties with China and to become a part of the New Silk Road project that envisages the connection of Europe and Asia through the shortest and easiest routes.

“Georgia has proved itself as a reliable transit country and we have an ambition to become a logistical centre connecting Europe and Asia,” Georgia’s Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili said on September 9 at the session entitled as New Silk Road, in the frame of five-day World Economic Forum in China’s major port city Dalian.

The Prime Minister stressed that Georgia would play a crucial role as an energy and transport route within the New Silk Road project and announced about a new port that might be built on the Georgian soil.

Gharibashvili said that American and Chinese companies were interested in constructing of a deep-water port in Georgia that would meet 100 million ton trade turnout annually.

The PM stressed that the port would help Georgia’s increasing transit role more.

“Construction of the port will cover seven phases. We have launched negotiations with interested sides. Georgia is on the verge of several billion investments,” Garibashvili said.

In addition, Garibashvili underscored Georgia’s significance for transporting Chinese products to Europe.

“Several months ago a pilot train from China arrived to Georgia in nine days. This means that the transit time and subsequently money decreased for china.

“The aim of the Georgian Government is to make the country as a cente of peace, trade and logistics,” PM added.

Today the PM also held several meetings with leading Chinese companies that plan several million investments in Georgia.

Several days ago Chinese Ambassador to Georgia stated that his country wanted a visa-free travel regime with Georgia and emphasized that more than 100 million Chinese tourists traveled abroad annually, he said.

“Even if only a certain part of the people arrive to Georgia if will be a great benefit for the country economy,” he told the Georgian Rezonansi newspaper.

Of course, it can be only welcomed if Georgia successfully used its geopolitical location.

Becoming the part of the new Silk Road project can be only beneficial for the Georgian economy that still collapses.

Participation in the world important projects also upgrades Georgia’s security, as mutual economic interests, as a rule, neutralize threats of wars.

Using the county’s potential in different directions is the only mean to help the national currency and large-scaled poverty in the country.

To be successful in this direction is also vital for the current government as the big number of Georgia ns admit that the Georgian Dream leadership could not settle major economic troubles in the country.

The government should also be very fast in achieving its goals as the elections are approaching.