Kazakhstan and Georgia have all opportunities to expand mutual trade and cargo transportation — Alikhan Smailov

The Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Alikhan Smailov met with the Prime Minister of Georgia Irakli Garibashvili, who arrived in our country for an official visit.

During the meeting, the parties discussed issues of trade and economic cooperation, expansion of mutual investments and business contacts, development of tourism potential of the two countries, opening of new flights, as well as interaction in cultural and humanitarian spheres.

Alikhan Smailov noted that at present, thanks to joint efforts, there are record indicators of mutual trade turnover: an increase from $31.7 million to $147.7 million, which is 4.7 times higher compared to the same period last year.

“We have all the opportunities and tools to maintain positive dynamics. I am sure that the Roadmap signed today to expand the range of mutual trade for 2023-2026 will give an additional impetus to mutual trade,” the Prime Minister of Kazakhstan said.

In turn, Irakli Garibashvili noted that Kazakhstan and Georgia have great potential for expanding cooperation in many areas, including food security and cargo transportation.

“Trade, investment and business cooperation are dynamically developing between our countries. There are many examples of successful cooperation within the framework of joint projects. At the same time, we can do even more to develop the economies of our countries, so it is necessary to consider new opportunities and mutually beneficial directions,” said Irakli Garibashvili.

At the meeting, the parties also discussed the development of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route.

It was noted that in order to increase its competitiveness, it is necessary to remove infrastructure restrictions on railway sections and seaports, as well as to review existing tariffs.

“This project is of strategic importance for our countries. Kazakhstan supports all initiatives to develop the region's transit and transport potential, while taking into account the interests of the stakeholders. In general, in order to build the capacity of the Route, we propose, together with other participants, to develop a Roadmap for the simultaneous elimination of bottlenecks and the development of its potential for 2022-2025,” Alikhan Smailov emphasized.

In addition, the Prime Minister of Kazakhstan emphasized the importance of developing the tourism potential between our countries, including in terms of eco- and ethno-tourism.

Today, Kazakhstan operates 34 direct flights to Georgia. At the same time, an open skies regime for foreign airlines has been introduced at 12 airports of Kazakhstan, which provides for the removal of all restrictions on the number of flights.

Following the meeting, the parties signed a number of bilateral documents: the Roadmap for expanding the range of mutual trade between Kazakhstan and Georgia for 2023-2026, the Memorandum of Cooperation between the Ministry of Digital Development, Innovation and Aerospace Industry of Kazakhstan and the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia, as well as the Memorandum on cooperation between JS NC Kazakhstan Temir Zholy and JSC Georgian Railway.

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