Lithuania is successfully developing not only political but also strong economic relations with Georgia. Georgian businesspeople are interested in the EU market and possibilities to have business partners here. On January 27-28, plenty of Lithuanian food and beverage industry representatives will participate in the business mission in Georgia.

"We hope that the business mission will strengthen the political and economic cooperation between our countries. We have no doubt that participation of Lithuanian companies in this mission will help our partners from Georgia gain experience by joining the EU market and at the same time create favorable conditions for bilateral cooperation among enterprises," said Saulius Cironka, a member of the Prime Minister-led delegation and Deputy Minister of Agriculture who will present Lithuanian agricultural and food sectors during business events in Georgia.

Willingness to participate in the business mission in Georgia and meet with representatives of retail chains and importers have already been expressed by 12 companies: Mantinga, Biovela, Pieno žvaigždės, Vilkyškių pieninė, Naujasis Nevėžis, Kėdainių konservų fabrikas, Marijampolės pieno konservai, Vilniaus paukštynas and others. Most of these are dairy companies.

"I am glad that all institutions dealing with the food sector and particularly its export issues work well together for a common goal," - describes the situation Giedrius Bagušinskas, the Head of Lithuanian Food Exporters Association who is going to Georgia too.

According to the trade turnover, Georgia is one of the main partners of Lithuania in the Caucasus.

Both small and big businesses are thriving in Georgia. More than half of the businesses here belong to the trade sector. Also, popular areas here are construction and transport services. Georgia is regarded as a business-friendly state. "Good relations between Georgia and Lithuania have resulted in a very positive attitude towards the Lithuanian people and businesspeople. This business mission is a great opportunity to look for business partners and contacts", S. Cironka has no doubts.

In 2013, agricultural and food exports to Georgia reached 4.2 million euros, while imports - 10.8 million euros. Products of Lithuanian origin made 87 per cent of total exports. In 2013, major exports included skimmed milk powder, non-denatured ethyl alcohol, white sugar, margarine, and imports - mineral water, hazelnuts, wine.

Statistics show that the volume of trade has a tendency to grow: over the last 10 months, compared with the same period in 2013, exports to Georgia increased by more than double.

ŽŪM inf.

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