OREANDA-NEWS. May 04, 2010. A delegation headed by Minister of Economic Development Mr. Shahin Mustafayev payed a visit to Georgia on April 29. Along with officials, delegation included about 20 entrepreneurs from different sectors of economy. Within the framework of the visit Minister Mustafayev had meetings with Georgia Prime-Minister Nika Gilauri and Minister of Economic Development Zurab Pololikashvili.

Business forums organized with the support of AZPROMO Georgia representative office in Tbilisi and Marneuli brought together Georgian and Azerbaijani businessmen from agriculture, banking, ICT, energy, construction, industry and other sectors. During his speech at the forum Minister Musfatayev emphasized the role of leadership and wise policy-making thanks to which Azerbaijan managed to keep the high pace of socio-economic development.

Coming to Azerbaijan-Georgia relations, he pointed out the importance of efforts of both Azerbaijani and Georgian leaders, and ongoing regional projects such as Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline, Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum gas pipeline, Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railroad. So far, about 400 mln US dollars have been invested to Georgian economy by SOCAR. It is no coincidence that SOCAR Georgia received an “Investor of the year” award. In addition, there are more than 40 Azerbaijani companies that were established and successfully operating in different sectors of economy in Georgia. With the purpose of further development of business ties between Azerbaijani and Georgian businessmen AZPROMO Georgia representative office was established in Tbilisi in 2009.

Minister Mustafayev once more reiterated the importance of mutual visits, organization of business forums and B2B meetings in the development of economic relations between the two countries. Presentations on business and investment opportunities in Azerbaijan, Azerbaijan Investment Company and its ongoing projects, as well as economic potential and investment climate of Georgia were held within the official part of the forum. Additionally, the Memorandum of Understanding was signed between AZPROMO and GNIA (Georgian National Investments Agency) to foster cooperation between the two organizations. Further representatives of Azerbaijani delegation had meetings with Kvemo Kartli head David Kirkitadze, Azerbaijan Businessmen Union (AZEBI), as well as “Bazalt Agroservice”, Milk processing factory, “Bazalt Construction”, “Agrosystems” , Marneuli Olympic Centre and other sites.