Georgian, Kazakh PMs Discuss Deepening Trade, Economic Ties

Georgian Prime Minister Mamuka Bakhtadze is on an official visit to Kazakhstan on May 15-16. Today, he met with his Kazakh counterpart, Prime Minister Askar Mamin.

The Georgian PM’s press office reported after the meeting that the two officials discussed issues pertaining to the Georgian-Kazakh economic relations, with PM Bakhtadze highlighting Georgia’s role as a transport and logistics hub in the region.

Georgia’s trade turnover with Kazakhstan, according to the National Statistics Office, Geostat, stood at USD 149.5 million in 2018, with exports at USD 90.8 million (USD 52 million in 2017) and imports at USD 58.7 million (USD 30 million in 2017).

The Kazakh PM’s press office said Bakhtadze and Mamin noted “the significant potential” for enhancing bilateral trade, including in the fields of tourism agriculture, industry, transport and energy.

The sides also agreed that their trade turnover will be doubled “in the short term,” and will reach USD 300 million, according to the Kazakh government.

“Our common objective is to implement projects that can increase trade volumes and give a new impetus to the commercial exchange between the two countries,” said PM Mamin.

The Kazakh authorities also reported that the sides paid “special attention” to transit and transport cooperation, including within the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route.

As part of his visit to Kazakhstan, PM Mamuka Bakhtadze met with President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Senate Chair Dariga Nazarbayeva. Tomorrow, he will address the annual Astana Economic Forum, held in the Kazakh capital on May 16-17.

This post is also available in: ქართული (Georgian) Русский (Russian)