Georgia has a significant potential to attract new French companies and new companies from other countries. Macroeconomic stability is one of the factors that makes it attractive.
Georgia, in an effort to deepen its economic cooperation with France, welcomed another French business and trade mission this November. Laurent Germain led a business delegation of 20 companies to Tbilisi, Georgia, on 15-16 November. He is the CEO of Egis, and Chairman of MEDEF International France Georgia Business Council. This was the sixth MEDEF International business mission in the last ten years. The companies were in agriculture, infrastructures, digital, tourism and transport, as well as defense and security.
Laurent Germain, a GEORGIA Today reporter, said that the main takeaway from the two-day trip was the conviction and conclusions reached by the 29 representatives of French businesses that the economic potential in Georgia is significant. “We met with ministers and the Business Association of Georgia. At the end of two days, we received a list of concrete project proposals that French companies could bid on within the next month. The main areas of concern were infrastructure and transportation, renewable energy, tourism and water infrastructure management. Many new projects will be launched by Georgia in the coming weeks and months.”
The visit was made in the context of a robust economic recovery in Georgia and the surrounding region. This fact opens up stronger perspectives for connectivity, economic cooperation, and also helps Georgia move closer to Europe.
Diego Colas said that the main goal of the cooperation was to bring Georgia closer to Europe. “This is a very important strategic issue, and we believe that many people want it. It is something that must happen. The question is, how can we make this happen? This latest visit is an example of how. When businesses come to Georgia, they are not only happy to do business, but they also bring with them the European way of doing business, the European way of competition, and the European way of treating customers and consumers when it comes to public services.
“If business doesn’t make it real, [Georgia’s European future] may not happen or only happen virtually. This visit was full of promises that this would become more realistic. We want Georgia to be a European country. “This is what we are working toward.”
The visit included high-level meetings, including those with Salome Zurabishvili (President of Georgia), Irakli Garribashvili (Prime Minister of Georgia), members of the Georgian government, and representatives from the city of Tbilisi. The French delegation also participated in high-level networking sessions with members of the Business Association of Georgia (partner of MEDEF International Georgia), made up of Georgian officials and MPs.
“There are three reasons for a company to invest in Georgia,” Germain said. “First, the macroeconomic stability. Second, the attractiveness of the country. Third, there must be a large number of projects. Georgia currently meets these three criteria. “The potential for Georgia to attract new French companies is huge.”
Mr. Germain assured the Georgian public, that this visit had provided French companies with an opportunity to discuss existing fields of collaboration and to explore new possibilities in such sectors as tourism, digitalization, low-carbon hydrogen and various applications of technology.
By Vazha Tavberidze
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