MINISTRY OF ECONOMY
AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
OF GEORGIA

On August 2, the meeting between the representatives of the state and private sectors on the text of the Draft Agreement on International Passenger and Freight Transportation between the People’s Republic of China and Georgia was held in the capital of China, Beijing.

The Georgian side informed the Chinese delegation about the transportation system and customs procedures of Georgia. The sides emphasized the importance of development of motor transport for the purpose of deepening the trade relations between the countries.

The parties also expressed their desire to involve private sector representatives of both countries within the sittings of the Joint Commissions envisaged in the above-mentioned Agreement, which will be of systematic nature. Establishment of this format will help to timely eliminate barriers in the transportation process between the two countries, and contribute to the establishment of effective communication between private and public sector representatives. Certain companies also expressed their interest towards participation in the implementation of pilot transport transits between Georgia and China.

Georgian delegation, which was comprised of the representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia, Revenue Service of the Ministry of Finance, International Road Transport Association and private companies, was headed by the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development.

The Chinese delegation was headed by the Transport Ministry of People's Republic of China. It should be noted that such large-scale transport-logistics companies as Sinotrans&SCS Holdings Co. Ltd, COSCO Shipping, Heilongjiang Dragon Transportation Group, Xinjiang Tianye Group Co. Ltd. also participated in the event.

The President of China Automobile Transport Association and Deputy Director General of China Trade Group also took part in the meeting. It should be noted that some of the Chinese companies had previous experience of cooperation with Georgia in exporting Georgian products to China before.