Tbilisi recently hosted the 9th meeting of the Georgia-China Joint Commission for Trade and Economic Cooperation.

Levan Davitashvili, Georgia’s First Vice-Speaker and Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development, along with Ling Ji, Member of the CPC Leadership Group of the Ministry of Commerce and Vice Minister and Deputy International Trade Representative of China, reviewed key aspects of the trade and economic relationship between Georgia and China.

The discussions encompassed prospects for intensifying free trade between the two nations, fostering investment relations, and enhancing cooperation in critical sectors such as transport, logistics, energy, information technology and innovation, tourism, agriculture, and more.

According to Levan Davitashvili, trade turnover between the countries is expected to increase by 17% in 2024 compared to the previous year, reaching USD 1.92 billion. In terms of trade volume, China ranks as Georgia’s fourth-largest trading partner.

Following the Commission meeting, Levan Davitashvili and Ling Ji signed the protocol from the 9th session of the Georgia-China Joint Commission. The agreement included a permit for the Georgian honey export to the Chinese market and also set the framework for concluding negotiations on a protocol to export poultry meat in the coming months. This represents a significant opportunity for Georgia to introduce high-demand products to the Chinese market for the first time.

Additionally, Levan Davitashvili extended an invitation to the head of the Chinese delegation to attend the 5th Forum of the Tbilisi Silk Road, scheduled for October 22-23.