Georgian Deputy Economy Minister: Georgia, China agree on special investment dialogue mechanism for strategic sectors

Irakli Nadareishvili, Deputy Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia, on Saturday said that Georgia and China have agreed to establish a special mechanism for Georgia-China Investment Dialogue aimed at promoting Chinese investment in strategic sectors such as infrastructure and energy in Georgia.

Speaking at the Global Summit on Trade in Services in Beijing, Nadareishvili highlighted the particularly important place of relations with China.

He noted that the Free Trade Agreement entered into force in 2018, the relationship was elevated to a strategic partnership in 2023, and cooperation has deepened within the Belt and Road Initiative and the digital economy.

“Georgia’s relations with China hold a particularly important and distinctive place. This year, we also agreed to upgrade the Free Trade Agreement, which provides for the introduction of modern provisions in the areas of e-commerce, investment promotion, and access to information. We are also moving beyond simple trade toward a stronger investment partnership. Georgia and China have agreed to establish a special mechanism for Georgia-China Investment Dialogue, aimed at promoting Chinese investment in strategic sectors such as infrastructure and energy in Georgia”, Nadareishvili said.

He emphasised that cooperation was moving beyond simple trade toward a stronger investment partnership.

“We see significant potential in digital services, technologies, logistics solutions, financial and professional services, and e-commerce. China’s experience in developing frameworks for cross-border data flows is highly relevant, as reliable and efficient digital connectivity is becoming increasingly important for international trade in services”, he noted.

“For Chinese companies, Georgia can offer an effective base for regional operations and the provision of services between Europe and Asia. For Georgian companies, China provides access to one of the world’s largest and most attractive markets. Our goal should be to connect these strengths”, Nadareishvili concluded.

The Global Summit on Trade in Services was held in China as part of CIFTIS, with Georgia participating for the first time this year.