Our strategic location, our huge economic potential, and the steps we’ve taken forward to grow our economy are all evidence of our real ambitions to become a regional hub, – President of Georgia Salome Zurabishvili said at the Georgia-Cyprus business forum in Tbilisi.

“Today, we are hosting the first Georgia-Cyprus Business Forum. By doing so, we are moving forward in the economic relations between our countries. Georgia firmly stands on the path to Europe and as such, one of our priorities is to increase our partnership with Cyprus, a member of the European Union. By signing the Agreement on Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area with the European Union, we got a new push in our bilateral relations. It opened us the door to use our entire economic potential to accomplish our main goal: joining the European Union. Indeed, thanks to the Agreement, economic links between Georgia and Cyprus are becoming deeper. The trade agreement is one of the most important accords to deepen our economic cooperation”, – Salome Zurabishvili said.

According to her, the trade agreement is one of the main documents that will strengthen the economic ties between Georgia and Cyprus.

“I believe that this Forum will set the basis to strengthen our partnership. The increased interest of the EU toward the Caucasus as a transit and logistic gateway opens new perspectives and helps us establish strong ties between both shores of the Black Sea. Our strategic location, our huge economic potential, and the steps we’ve taken forward to grow our economy are all evidence of our real ambitions to become a regional hub. This is why we’re paying close attention to the development of modern transit and logistic infrastructures, – Georgian President said.

According to Salome Zurabishvili, large infrastructure projects are being implemented in Georgia with the support of international donors and partners.

“Large infrastructure projects are being built right now thanks to the strong support of global donors and partner countries. We’ve also concluded free trade agreements with large markets all around the world.  Georgia is sixth out of 190 worldwide nations in ease of doing business according to international indexes, and second out of all European countries. According to the Economic Freedom Index, Georgia is the eighth economically freest European country. And yet, we are still facing some challenges. Our employment rate is still too high and we need to work on attracting a lot more investors to Georgia, – President said.

As Zurabishvili noted Georgia should increase exports in Cyprus.

“The Black Sea has played a historic role in our relations. Cyprus was, first and foremost, a stop for Georgians reaching the Holy Land, creating plenty of opportunities for us. We possess a real basis for dynamic trade and touristic possibilities through the sea, our most trusted ally”, – She added.