According to the press service of the Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia, the event focused on transport and logistics, information technology, energy and agriculture at the meeting with the Swiss business circles in Bern, Switzerland. The conversation touched upon Georgia's energy potential and investment opportunities in the field of renewable energy, as well as agriculture. 

The Deputy Minister briefed the participants of the round table on the trends, challenges and opportunities of the Georgian economy. He said that as a result of consistent economic policies and targeted programs to support the private sector, despite the external shocks, the dynamics in terms of the economic activity, foreign trade, tourism and transport are positive.

According to Genadi Arveladze, despite the geopolitical tensions in the region, the economic growth rate was 10.6% in March, while in April, notwithstanding the high base effect of the previous year, the economic activity growth was positive. As the Minister stressed, on the basis of the dynamics observed in January-April, the Georgian government forecasts that the economic growth rate will reach 6% in 2022, although a higher growth is quite realistic.

In his speech, the Deputy Minister focused on the economic ties between Georgia and Switzerland and noted that their development was given a special impetus by the implementation of the Free Trade Agreement between the two countries. According to Genadi Arveladze, in only 4 months of 2022, the trade turnover with Switzerland increased by 34 percent, while the exports of the Georgian products to the Swiss market increased by 45 percent. Nevertheless, as the Deputy Minister estimates, the potential is great and it definitely needs to be used to the full. 

Genadi Arveladze also stressed the importance of Georgia as an important transport and logistics direction in the region, where cargo turnover has increased especially after the start of difficult geopolitical activities in the territory. He also focused on major transport projects that are being implemented in Georgia or will be further built.

The Deputy Minister spoke about the government's programs for attracting foreign investment and business incentives in Georgia, which aroused great interest among the representatives of the Swiss companies.

The representatives of the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (Ministry) SECO and more than 40 Swiss companies participated in the round table conference.

A memorandum of understanding was signed between the Georgian Chamber