2015-10-15
Opportunities have opened up for Georgia to rediscover its historical role - the inaugural Silk Road Forum in Tbilisi is attended by about 1000 representatives from over 32 countries.
"This forum is an important step towards reaching that goal. In hosting this Forum, Georgia is playing a role it has held for millennia: that of regional hub and center for exchange" - Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili is quoted as saying while addressing the participants of the Forum.
Irakli Garibashvili said that breathing new life into this corridor of global prosperity and cooperation is part of his dream for Georgia.
"My Government's goal is to build Georgia into a prosperous country that leverages its geographic location as a vital crossroads connecting East and West, and North and South. Georgia is Europe's natural gateway towards Asia - marking Europe's eastern most entry point by both land and sea. I like to say we are Europe's "shortcut" to the Silk Road.
With our deep ties to the European Union, including our new Association and Free Trade agreements, our historical links throughout the region, and our burgeoning trade with China, India, Japan, and elsewhere in the Middle East and Asia, Georgia is the ideal platform for today's discussion" - The Prime Minister said.
According to him, global interest in Georgia is growing, particularly because of the country's strategic location and welcoming business environment.
"I visited China several weeks ago and received an incredibly warm welcome. I was encouraged by how many businesses were interested in Georgia and announced significant new investments here during that trip.
These recent events highlight Georgia's transformation into a multi-region commercial gateway connecting Europe, East Asia, India, Central Asia, and the Middle East. From Georgia, individuals and companies have easy access to billions of consumers in Asia and Europe; through Georgia, Asian products and energy resources reach Europe faster" - Irakli Garibashvili noted.
The Georgian Prime Minister believes that the Tbilisi Silk Road Forum is not just about highlighting Georgia's important role as a bridge between Europe and Asia. It is about creating a shared benefit for all people from Beijing to Brussels.
Prime Minister's Press Office