Negotiations between the Government of Georgia and the Government of the People’s Republic of China have led to an agreement to update the Free Trade Agreement originally signed on May 13, 2017.

The talks were led by Genadi Arveladze, Georgia’s Deputy Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development, and Han Changtian, Deputy Director General of the Department of WTO Affairs at China’s Ministry of Commerce.

According to Georgia’s Ministry of Economy, the updated agreement includes modernised provisions in key areas such as e-commerce, technical barriers to trade, sanitary and phytosanitary measures, and investment promotion. The two sides reached consensus on the main amendments to be included.

They also discussed the possibility of Georgian honey and poultry meat being allowed into the Chinese market, with the Georgian side expressing optimism about positive developments soon.

“The free trade agreement with China has taken our trade and economic relations to a new level,” said Deputy Minister Arveladze. “Trade volumes have grown, investment has increased, and we’re seeing encouraging signs in tourism, civil aviation, and other areas.”

China remains one of Georgia’s key economic partners. The agreement allows Georgian producers to access the Chinese market under preferential terms.

The protocol of amendments is expected to be signed in the first quarter of next year.