PM addressed SPECA summit in Baku, raises importance of peace for economic development

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili on Friday addressed the summit of the United Nations Special Programme for the Economies of Central Asia in Baku and said the “key goal” of his office was to “maintain peace, ensure stability and promote economic development”. 

 

In his comments, Garibashvili said the domestic economy had grown by 10 percent in recent years, and stressed his country had acted as a “reliable partner” for energy resources transit. 

 

“Georgia plays an important role in the supply chain and ensures continuous and safe transit of crude oil and natural gas through the South Caucasus”, he said. 

 

Speaking about the domestic economy, the head of the Government also said the gross domestic product per capita could hit more than 8,000 dollars by the end of this year. 

 

Providing the data of the past 10 months, Garibashvili claimed the trade turnover with Central Asian countries had increased by 150 percent.

 

He highlighted Georgia as the “only country” in the entire South Caucasus region that had a free trade agreement with China and the European Union.

 

“Georgia already plays an important role in East-West connectivity, and its overall positive economic, business and institutional perspective is in line with our goal to ensure stability and prosperity in the region”, he said and added his office was making “significant investments” in large-scale projects to promote regional trade.

 

In his remarks, the PM highlighted Georgia’s EU integration goals and praised Azerbaijan as a “valuable neighbor and strategic partner”. 

 

“We are proud that the relations between our nations based on centuries-old friendship are at an all-time-high”, he said. 

 

Garibashvili further noted the current geopolitical context had increased the role of the region as an “important transit and logistics center, which contributes to the improvement of transport and logistics connections”.