On March 6, Georgia-Turkey-Azerbaijan business meeting was held in Batumi, Irak Garbashvili, Prime Minister of Georgia, Giorgi Kvirikashvili, Minister of Economy and Development of Georgia, Shahin Musfatayev, Minister of Economy and Indsutry of Azerbaijan, and Nihat Zeybekchi, Minister of Economy of Turkey, were present during the meeting.
During the meeting it was highlighted that economic relations among these 3 countries are developing day-by-day, and these strategic partners are implementing large-scale projects successfully in the region. It was mentioned that there are even more opportunities to develop their partnership in the future for Georgia-Turkey-Azerbaijan, and business meetings in Batumi will play crucial role to develop relations of partner countries. Development of relations, opportunities, and mutual interests these countries were also discussed in the business meeting.
After this meeting, Georgia-Turkey-Azerbaijan business forum was held in Batumi which was organized by “Invest in Georgia” Georgian investment agency, Azerbaijan Export and Investment Foundation (AZPROMO), and Turkey`s Foreign Economic Relations Organization (DEIK). This forum was realized by initiative of Ilham Aliyev, President of Azerbaijan Republic.
Georgia-Turkey-Azerbaijan business forum was 4th of its kind, and other from officials of Azerbaijan, representatives from agriculture, industry, construction, finance, ICT, logistics, consulting, health and etc. sectors were participated and represented Azerbaijan in the business forum.
There were more than 350 officials and businessmen and more than 100 of them were representing Azerbaijan in the business forum. First, Prime Minister Garibashvili welcomed guests and expressed his positive feelings about organizing such important meeting in Georgia. He stated that partnership brings great benefits to Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Turkey. Garbashvili stated that we are serious partners in the region, and large-scale infrastructure projects are proof for our successful partnership. He said that they are very happy to get investments form Turkey and Azerbaijan in Georgia, and this forum will bring new future investments to Georgia, which will benefit all countries.
Georgia`s Deputy Prime Minister highlighted success of these 3 neighbor countries and there are even more opportunities for the future to develop better relations which will benefit all 3 countries. Giorgi Kvirikashvili underlined successful operations of Azerbaijani companies in Azerbaijan, and Georgia plays active role in the region with the initiative of Azerbaijan.
Shahin Mustafayev, Minister of Economy and Industry of Azerbaijan, first, welcomed the participants, and underlined importance of annual Georgia-Turkey-Azerbaijan business forum for these countries` economies, and this partnership can be set an example for other countries in the world.
It was noted that “Baku-Tbilisi-Jeyhan” and “Baku-Tbilisi-Kars” are very important strategic projects, which give a lot of benefit for these countries, and this shows macro economical stability and developed investment climate of partner countries in the region. Shahin Mustafayev stated that all these success are serving for peace and well-being of nations in the region. However, Armenia creates problems for the development because of their aggressive policy towards Azerbaijan, and this creates danger for the region countries in terms of peace and development.
Shahin Mustafayev said that we are creating sound legal environment for our countries with the of help mutual commission, AZPROMO, KOSGEB, TİKA, DEİK, "İnvest in Georgia" and other related organizations. These meetings play crucial role for all of us to develop and reach to success.
Today there are more than 2600 investments in Azerbaijan from Turkey with the value of more than $6.3 billion USD, and 1500 Azerbaijani investments in Turkey with the value of $5 billion USD. We are aiming to increase these numbers to $17-20 billion USD till 2020. Trades between these countries are increasing dynamically.
Shahin Mustafayev also said that there are 340 Azerbaijani companies in Georgia whom invested more that $1 billion USD during the years 1997-2014, and also there are 235 Georgian companies operates in Azerbaijan which makes Georgia second place in the trade turnover of Azerbaijan. Apart form all these successes there are still room for improvement for our countries in the future, and trade between our countries will get bigger day by day with the help of business meeting which create new opportunities and perspectives for agriculture, industry, construction, finance, ICT, logistics, consulting, health and etc.
Nihat Zeybekci, Minister of Economy of Turkey, also highlighted success of Georgia-Turkey-Azerbaijan and underlined implemented large-scale projects, and also they will not be our last projects but will be one of firsts in our strategic partnership. He also criticized Armenia for not solving Nagorna Kharabagh problem, which creates difficulties for the region.
During the forum Giorgi Pertaya, President of Geogian Invesment Agency, Mustafa Mente, President of Turkey`s Foreign Relations Organization, and Rufat Mammadov, President of AZPROMO, gave presentations about business climate and opportunities of their countries one by one.
During the forum businessmen of these countries met and discuss possible collaborations in the future.
In the end officials of Georgia-Turkey-Azerbaijan answered the questions of members of local and international media agency.