Georgia, Qatar set to launch free trade talks, Economy Minister

Georgia and Qatar have agreed to initiate negotiations on a free trade agreement, the announcement came following a high-level meeting in Doha between Georgia’s First Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development, Levan Davitashvili, and Sheikh Faisal bin Thani bin Faisal Al Thani,  Qatar’s Minister of Commerce and Industry. 

The meeting on Wednesday, held as part of Davitashvili’s official visit to Qatar, covered a broad spectrum of economic cooperation areas including investment, energy, tourism, transport, and communications, the Economy Ministry said. Georgia’s Deputy Foreign Minister, Aleksandre Khvtisiashvili, also took part in the discussions.

Speaking after the talks, Davitashvili said the sides had agreed not only to enhance bilateral trade but to begin working towards a comprehensive free trade agreement, similar to the one Georgia currently has with the United Arab Emirates.

“This agreement will be pursued independently from any broader trade arrangement with Gulf countries,” Davitashvili said, adding that a format for continued dialogue would be established this year, with mutual business delegations expected to visit both nations.