Tbilisi Hosts 9th Session of Sino-Georgian Trade and Economic Cooperation Commission
By Liza Mchedlidze
Wednesday, April 23, 2025
The 9th session of the Joint Commission for Trade and Economic Cooperation between Georgia and China was held in Tbilisi, co-chaired by Georgia's First Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Economy, Levan Davitashvili, and China's Deputy Minister of Commerce, Ling Ji. The session focused on strengthening bilateral trade, enhancing transit cooperation, and opening new export channels, including a newly signed agreement on Georgian honey exports to China.
According to an official press release, the talks addressed a range of economic issues, including increasing trade volume, expanding direct flights, and deepening cooperation along the Middle Corridor-a strategic transit route connecting Europe and Asia through Georgia.
Davitashvili emphasized the significance of the Free Trade Agreement between the two countries, stating: "Georgia became the first country in the region to establish a free trade regime with China, thereby underscoring Georgia's strategic importance as a trade partner and transit hub."
He noted that trade turnover between Georgia and China reached $1.92 billion in 2024 - an increase of 17% from the previous year, making China Georgia's fourth-largest trading partner. Davitashvili also highlighted Georgia's post-pandemic economic recovery, pointing to a 9.7% average growth rate in 2024, one of the highest in the region and across Europe.
The Georgian delegation included several high-level officials from the ruling Georgian Dream party, among them Deputy Economy Minister Genadi Arveladze, Deputy Foreign Minister Aleksandre Khvtisiashvili, First Deputy Health Minister Irakli Sasania, Deputy Agriculture Minister Lasha Dolidze, Georgia's Ambassador to China Paata Kalandadze, and President of the Georgian Chamber of Commerce Giorgi Pertaia.
Following the session, Davitashvili and Ling signed a protocol summarizing the outcomes of the talks. In addition to the agreement on honey exports, the sides are currently negotiating expanded export opportunities for Georgian poultry, with a deal expected in the coming months.
Davitashvili also extended an invitation to the head of the Chinese delegation to attend the 5th Tbilisi Silk Road Forum, scheduled for October 22-23, 2025.
