Ομιλία ΥΦΥΠΕΞ Τ. Κουίκ στην ενημερωτική συνάντηση του ΣΕΒ για τις επιχειρηματικές ευκαιρίες στη Γεωργία

Ο Υφυπουργός Εξωτερικών κ. Τέρενς Κουίκ απηύθυνε σήμερα χαιρετισμό στην ενημερωτική συνάντηση που διοργάνωσε ο ΣΕΒ, προκειμένου να παρουσιασθούν οι επιχειρηματικές ευκαιρίες στην αγορά της Γεωργίας.

Η συνάντηση είχε σκοπό την προώθηση στη Γεωργία ελληνικών επιχειρηματικών δραστηριοτήτων σε τομείς όπως εμπόριο, αγροτικά προϊόντα, καλλυντικά, κατασκευαστικός τομέας, τυποποίηση προϊόντων, τουρισμός, ανανεώσιμες πηγές ενέργειας, επικοινωνίες, νέες μορφές τεχνολογίας, εκπαίδευση κλπ.

Το κείμενο του χαιρετισμού του Υφυπουργού, που εκφωνήθηκε στα Αγγλικά, έχει ως εξής:

“Mr. President of SEV

Mr. Ambassador

Dear participants,

Let me first of all congratulate the Federation of Hellenic Industries for the organization of today’s conference that brings closer Greek and Georgian businessmen and is expected to contribute in the development of better knowledge between business communities of our countries.

The next Session of the Joint Interministerial Committee that is going to take place soon in Athens is expected to give a new impetus for further enhancement of our economic relations. Within this framework, we are encouraging all efforts for broadening our economic and trade cooperation.

According to the Hellenic Statistical Authority the volume of trade between the Hellenic Republic and the Republic of Georgia amounted 73,086 million € in 2016. In my opinion, the current volume of trade reflects neither the needs nor the existing potentials of both countries and I hope that there will be concrete results from the business meetings.

We believe that our countries’ economies are complementary to a great extent, and present major comparative advantages, that should be exploited for cooperation in several sectors.

Cooperation in various forms and creation of joint ventures can be strengthened. In particular, products as fruits and vegetables, processed food products, cosmetics, building material etc offer many possibilities for the development of bilateral trade.

Tourism is a very important sector for the development of our bilateral relations and investments in this sector are most welcome.

We look forward to the shared benefits of the EU-Georgia DCFTA (Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement) and we take note of the efforts for the modernization of banking system, as well as the development of large scale ongoing projects and the potential in agribusiness. Greek consulting companies have great experience in this field and may contribute to the implementation of the Agreement.

We are also aware that Georgia disposes very significant natural resources and mineral products and has signed bilateral agreements of free trade with Russia, Turkey, Armenia, Adjerbajan, Kazakstan, Ukraine and Turkmenistan and agreement of strategic cooperation with U.S.A.

Its excellent geographical position offers opportunities to international and of course Greek companies to have easier access to a broader area and use the benefits of investment laws.

On the other hand, Greece fulfills all the conditions to become The “ Entering Gate “ for Georgian businessmen who want to develop their commercial relations with Europe due to the modern infrastructure and the friendly investment climate that is created by the new Government.

Closer co-operation in the sectors of Renewable Energy and Green Development as well as “know-how” transfer and consultancy services in agriculture and food industry, telecommunications, information technology and education and training could result in further enhancing our bilateral economic relations.

The Greek business community is ready to offer its services in this respect, as it will be clearly stated today.

Dear participants of the Forum,

I wish to all of you to have very fruitful meetings and I will personally support, in the sphere of my competence, the development of bilateral economic relations”.