ArmInfo. Despite significant increase in trade turnover between Armenia and Georgia in 2016, nevertheless, the potential available between the two countries is not being used sufficiently. On June 29, during the opening of Armenian-Georgian business forum in Yerevan,stated Minister of Economic Development and Investments of the Republic of Armenia, Suren Karayan.
According to him, as a result of talks today with Economy and stable development Minister of Georgia Giorgi Gakharia, the formats and directions of cooperation are defined, which will allow to increase extents of two sided trade, as well as will create conditions to implement joint programs aimed at exit to foreign markets. In this context, Armenian Minister pointed to the possibilities of free economic zones in Armenia and in Georgia,. Besides, Suren Karayan suggested implementation of joint projects in regional tourism. Aimed at successful implementation of the projects, the sides agreed at the level of economy ministries to form working groups, which will solve all rising problems in operative way. In his turn, Georgian Economy and Stable Development Minister Giorgi Gakharia stressed that between the two stated there is no political problem. According to him, now it is important to direct efforts of the sides to the disclosure of the existing potential in order to intensify bilateral trade and economic relations. In this regard, the parties reached an agreement on the use of preferential mechanisms for joint ventures with a view to exporting their products to the markets of third countries. In particular, Georgian minister pointed to the successes of Armenian farmers, inviting Armenian companies to invest in Georgia. Moreover, Giorgi Gakharia continued, that recently European Union lifted all restrictions on the supply of fish products to Georgia from the European market. As the Georgian minister stressed,there are ample opportunities for cooperation in such areas as energy, transport, tourism, etc. "It is necessary to determine the main areas of cooperation in the near future in order to implement sustainable bilateral trade within the next five years," he said. Giorgi Gakharia.
Speaking at the forum, Chairman of the Chamber of Trade and Industry of ARmenia Martin Sargsyan pointed to the fact that the share of Georgia in the trade turnover of Armenia with foreign countries is only 5%.