Ankara: The Turkish trade minister announced on Wednesday that Trkiye and Georgia are aiming to reach a $5 billion bilateral trade volume, as the current trade volume has already surpassed $3.5 billion.
According to Anadolu Agency, Omer Bolat, together with Georgian Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development Mariam Kvrivishvili, inaugurated the Trkiye-Georgia Business Forum in Tbilisi. This event was organized in cooperation with the Foreign Economic Relations Board (DEIK) and the Georgian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Bolat highlighted Georgia's recent economic reforms, expressing satisfaction and optimism for the shared future of the two nations. He emphasized Trkiye's support for Georgia's territorial integrity and sovereignty, noting the significance of prosperity in neighboring countries.
The trade minister remarked on the excellent progress of economic relations between Trkiye and Georgia. He pointed out that since the Free Trade Agreement was enacted by both countries in 2008, their mutual trade has exceeded $3.5 billion annually. Bolat also mentioned the active role of Turkish businesspeople in Georgia, with Turkish contractors undertaking 304 projects valued at $5.6 billion to date.
Bolat underscored Georgia's strategic position as a transit country on the Trans-Caspian route, acting as a bridge between Europe and Central Asia alongside Trkiye. He highlighted the significance of the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars (BTK) Railway Data Exchange Agreement signed in 2022, which enhances the Middle Corridor's performance. Bolat emphasized that coordination between Trkiye and Georgia is crucial for maintaining the Middle Corridor's sustainability.
Mariam Kvrivishvili acknowledged Trkiye as Georgia's strategic partner, stating that the two nations are not only neighbors but also cooperative partners. She emphasized the robust trade and economic relations between them, citing the business forum as a clear indicator of their close cooperation. Kvrivishvili also mentioned Tbilisi's efforts to attract foreign investments, noting that the Georgian economy grew by an average of 9.7% annually from 2021 to 2024.