Georgia – Gateway between Europe and Asia格鲁吉亚——欧洲和亚洲之间的门户

⬆ Batumi, a Black Sea resort and port city, Ali and Nino- the statue of love

 
Located in the Caucasus region, on the coast of the Black Sea, Georgia is geographically well positioned as a gateway between Europe and Asia. The country is perfectly situated for easy access to most major European, Central Asian and Middle Eastern markets and has free trade agreements (FTAs) with most of them. In this way, Georgia already boasts majority of the preconditions required to become a regional financial and business center.

Georgia is a country of scenic contrasts, diverse climates, rich natural resources and a wide variety of cultural, historic and artistic offerings. The country has something for everyone, the mountains, the sea, ancient cities, protected areas, more than 500 varieties of unique wines and one of the best cuisines in the world. Anyone, either with family or on their own can find their type of activity, be it hiking, skiing, sun bathing on the beach or raving until early morning, Georgia will leave you wanting more and fortunately, you can find that more in Georgia again.

Wine and viniculture have been central elements of Georgian civilization for millennia, contributing to the cultural diversity, spirituality and prosperity of Georgia.

Wine is a part of the Georgian identity and a fundamental element of the social fabric. Georgia is the home of the earliest grape wine and viniculture discovered thus far. The evidence of 8,000 year old wine clearly explains the depth of the wine culture in Georgia. The central role of wine in Georgian spiritual, societal, and economic life also explains why wines and vineyards were targets for every invader of my country. Today, the story of Georgian wine is one of the major drivers for growing awareness of Georgia around the world. The famous 17th century French traveler Jean Chardin wrote that “no other country was so rich in the diversity and quality of its wine“.

In recent years Georgia has been successful in branding the country as a Cradle of Wine, with UNESCO recognizing the ancient “Qvevri“ winemaking method in the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2013.

Tourism is one of the most dynamically developing sectors of Georgian economy with significant potential for further growth. Georgia has unique biodiversity, as subtropical marshes, semi-deserts, alpine zones and snowy peaks, all within hundred kilometres of each other. More than 12 000 historical and cultural monuments are represented in the country, three out of which are included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Besides, you can find there over 103 resorts, around 2400 springs of mineral waters, 8 national parks and 31 protected areas.

 
⬆ Night Tbilisi

   Sound Bilateral Trade Economic Cooperation

Despite the distance and relative disparity in size and population, Georgia and China managed to establish sound Trade Economic Cooperation.

Free Trade Agreement between Georgia and China came into force from January 1, 2018. Based on this document many products originated in Georgia are getting duty-free accesses on Chinese market. Besides, the Free Trade Agreement between Georgia and Hong Kong, Special Administrative Region of PRC became effective since February 2019. China is becoming one of the biggest opportunities for Georgian producers.

China is a third biggest trade partner for Georgia. Despite the pandemic, In 2021, Bilateral Trade volume increased up to 24 percent and amounted up to 1.5 Bln. USD. As the only country in the region with Free trade agreement with China, second consecutive year Chinese market became the first export market for Georgia’s products.

Georgian wine is becoming more and more popular into Chinese Market. According to the latest statistics, China is the 3rd biggest market for Georgian Wines. In 2021, we have exported more than 7 million bottles of Georgian Wine in China.

Belt and Road
Historically located at a vital crossroads, Georgia links the economies and cultures of East and West. With its strategic location along the Belt and Road and competitive market, Georgia is intent on carving out its share and restoring its position as a major regional trade, transport and logistic hub between in the region. As a matter of fact, the vast network of ancient land and maritime silk roads, used to pass through Georgia hundreds of years ago. Therefore, we think our country – with its unique historical experiences, rich social and cultural values and outstanding strategic location – is a natural place for such an endeavor.

The Belt and Road Initiative, proposed by the President of China, His Excellency Mr. Xi Jinping, has become the highlight of the China-Georgia ties. With its strategic location between Europe and Asia, Georgia is looking for greater participation in this global project that will definitely bring economic growth and sustainable development. The Belt and Road Initiative would revive the ancient Silk Road that provides Georgia with an excellent opportunity to fully utilize its transport potential and actively engage in international trade.

Georgia has a key geographic location as it is on the junction of Europe and Asia. Through the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (“Middle Corridor”), connecting China to Europe, enabling cargo to travel from China to the EU in 12 to 14 days.

Georgia is a founding member of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), as well as the first country to approve the Charter of Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank.  Georgia has held three Tbilisi Silk Road Forums respectively in 2015, 2017 and 2019 with continuous support of China. The Forum, among others, has contributed to the development of the Belt and Road Initiative and established an international platform for multilateral high-level dialogue among senior policymakers, businesses and community leaders.

Georgia – New Investment Destination
For those who have visited my homeland, it is no secret that Georgia is not only the land of scenic landscapes, overwhelming history and unique culture but also a place of tempting business opportunities and better chances. Many of the visitors have already “planted their trees” there. This is not surprising, given how rapidly Georgia is transforming into one of the most attractive investment destination of the world.

Although lesser known, Georgia is one of the best places to do business in the world. Over the last two decades, the country has become synonymous with successful reforms and rapid development. For eliminating large part of bureaucracy and implementing business friendly policies, Georgia was recognized by international organizations and was even hailed as a “top reformer”. As a result, a small country on the crossroads of Europe and Asia is fast becoming a regional hub for business.
Here are just some of the benefits that Georgia offers international companies today

Access to Global Markets

Once a strategically important link on the ancient Silk Road, Georgia, bordered by the Black Sea, Russia, Turkey, Armenia and Azerbaijan, has prioritized reconnecting its trade links throughout the world and has established solid a Free Trade Agreement network.

In 2014, Georgia signed an Association Agreement with the European Union, which included a Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (“DCFTA”). In 2016, Georgia also signed free trade agreement with EFTA countries, giving Georgian products duty free access to markets of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. Since then, Georgia has concluded free trade agreements with the People’s Republic of China (including Hong Kong) and most recently with UK, which came into force in January 2021. Additionally, Georgia has FTAs with CIS countries that include Belarus, Kazakhstan, Russia, Ukraine, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan, as well as all its neighbors, Turkey, Azerbaijan and Armenia. As a result, Georgia provides duty-free access to 2.3 billion market.

This trend of opening up more and more markets is ever expanding for the country, with General Schemes of Preference for Georgia being applied by US, Canada, and Japan, resulting in lower tariffs on 3,400 goods exported from the country. With this, a proposed series of FTAs including Georgia-Israel, Georgia-India and Georgia-U.S., are also under development.

Being a major regional transit hub, Georgia offers significant distribution channels and opportunities through newly renovated and expanded transportation infrastructure, which includes upgraded highways, internationally connected railway (connecting China and Turkey) and seaport network. The country’s three international airports – Tbilisi, Batumi and Kutaisi – provide direct access to prominent international connections.

International Rankings

• Georgia’s favourable investment climate is demonstrated in international institutions’ ratings, such as World Bank’s “Doing Business 2021”, which placed Georgia at seventh in “EASE OF DOING BUSINESS” (out of 190 countries).
• Moody’s Investors Service affirmed Georgia’s Ba2 rating and maintained the stable outlook.
• Heritage Foundation placed Georgia at twelfth in its “Index of Economic Freedom 2020” (out of 180 countries, sixth in the Europe).
• Forbes placed Georgia at 44th place in 2019 ranking of “Best Countries for Business” among 161 countries.

One of the lowest operational costs

Being business friendly country is also reflected on low operational costs. Today, the country holds some of the lowest utility costs in Europe, competitive salaries and one of the lowest taxes, which make Georgia one of the most cost effective location in Europe and the wider region. Over 75% of electricity is generated from hydro and wind, making electricity not only cheap but also green. Since 2017, corporate profit tax on reinvested profit is 0% and social security contribution is only 2%. Georgia’s stripped-down and streamlined tax scheme has produced the 3rd lowest overall tax rates in the world according to World Bank Group. Paying taxes is simple and transparent. Companies pay taxes online, through commercial banks, minimizing procedures and bureaucracy. Furthermore, the country has four free industrial zones, offering additional tax incentives.  

Taxation is just one of many examples of ease of doing business. In fact, one of the first thing that you notice while getting started in Georgia is how simple and transparent everything is. Georgia ranks 7th in Ease of Doing Business index by World Bank 2020. This is not just a ranking, but rather something you can feel. For example, starting a business or registering a property takes only hours and can be done by visiting a single location. Same easiness and simplicity can be experienced while dealing with any government organizations. Getting permits or licenses or dealing with customs, everything is transparent, fair and most importantly, does not take much time.

The fact that Georgia ranks 1st in terms of – least need to interact with government while doing business – according to Trace International Matrix 2020, is one more proof of the low bureaucracy and pro-business environment that Georgia has created.

Skilled workforce

Georgia has historically been educational center of the region, a good testament to this being the fact that today the country has more than 60 Higher education and 65 Vocational education centers produce fresh set of professionals, with over 150 thousand students graduated over last 5 years. Although impressive in comparison to the small size of the country, Georgia is yet set to strengthen its position as further with the new Kutaisi International University, which, at full capacity will host 60 thousand students. KIU operational model was developed in partnership with Technical University of Munich and will offer vocational, undergraduate, graduate, and post-graduate degree programs, as well as research possibilities in science and technology. KIU will join other high profile universities of regional importance, such as Tbilisi State University, Tbilisi Technical University and Tbilisi Ilia University, which is in collaboration with San Diego State University. Coupled with multi lingual capabilities, well reflected in booming international business services sector, Georgia is ready to offer investors skilled workforce and highly motivated talent pool that are ready to help companies reach their goals and achieve success.

Additional financial incentives

Companies operating in the following sectors: manufacturing of electrical and electronic products; manufacturing of aircraft parts and components, aircraft repair and maintenance (MRO); manufacture of auto parts and components; export of business services / business process outsourcing (BPO); development of warehouses and logistic centers; can apply for a special FDI grant program from “Invest in Georgia”. The program is designed to reimburse part of the costs incurred for employee training and infrastructure upgrades. Together with FDI grant, manufacturing projects can acquire state owned property (land or building) free of charge. As for IT and marine companies, looking to service clients from Georgia, corporate profit and personal tax will both be reduced to 5%. Additionally, for manufacturing or hospitality projects, subsidizing loan interest payment or loan collateral is also available.

The Message to investors is quite simple and straightforward – Georgia is a great destination for companies from all around the world, whether it’s to enter the Regional market itself, the European market, or the broader Asian markets; and it has an open door policy to help foreign and local companies grow in and via Georgia. 

格鲁吉亚位于黑海沿岸的高加索地区，地理位置优越，是欧洲和亚洲之间的门户。优越的地理位置使其可以非常方便地进入大多数欧洲、中亚和中东市场，而且格鲁吉亚与它们大多签订了自由贸易协定（FTA）。凭借这些优势，格鲁吉亚已经具备了成为地区金融和商业中心所需的大多数先决条件。

格鲁吉亚是一个风景秀丽、气候多样、自然资源丰富并且拥有众多文化、历史和艺术种类的国家。它有着适合每个人的东西，山、海、古城、保护区、500多种独特的葡萄酒以及世界上最佳的美食之一。不管是与家人一起还是独自旅行，任何人都能找到自己情有独钟的活动，可以是徒步、滑雪、沙滩日光浴或者畅聊到天明，格鲁吉亚都会让你意犹未尽，并且不断体验到新的惊喜。

数千年来，葡萄酒和葡萄种植一直是格鲁吉亚文明的核心要素，为格鲁吉亚的文化多样性、精神特质和繁荣做出了贡献。

葡萄酒已经成为格鲁吉亚人身份的一部分，也是社会结构的基本要素。格鲁吉亚是迄今为止发现的最早的葡萄酒和葡萄种植业的发源地。格鲁吉亚的葡萄酒有8000年的历史，这充分证明了其葡萄酒深厚的文化底蕴。葡萄酒在格鲁吉亚精神、社会和经济生活中的核心作用也从另一个侧面解释了为什么葡萄酒和葡萄园总是成为每一个入侵者的目标。现在，格鲁吉亚葡萄酒的故事是全世界对格鲁吉亚认识不断提高的主要驱动因素之一。17世纪法国著名的旅行家沙尔登曾这样写道：“没有一个国家像格鲁吉亚一样，生产数量如此之多、质量如此上乘的葡萄酒。

近年来，格鲁吉亚成功地将其打造成为葡萄酒的摇篮。联合国教科文组织也在2013年将古老的“奎弗瑞（Qvevri）”酿酒方法列入人类非物质文化遗产代表名单。

旅游业是格鲁吉亚经济发展最活跃的行业之一，并且具有进一步发展的巨大潜力。格鲁吉亚拥有独特的生物多样性，如亚热带沼泽、半沙漠、高山地带和雪峰，而且它们之间的距离不超过100公里。格鲁吉亚全国有12000多个历史和文化遗迹，其中三个被列入联合国教科文组织世界遗产名录。此外，格鲁吉亚还有103个度假村、2400多处矿泉水泉、8个国家公园和31个保护区。

 
⬆ 古老的第比利斯

良好的双边经贸合作

虽然格鲁吉亚和中国相距遥远，在面积和人口上也存在着很大的差距，但两国还是成功地建立了良好的经贸合作关系。

2018年1月1日，格鲁吉亚和中国之间的自由贸易协定正式生效。根据这一协定，许多原产于格鲁吉亚的产品可以免税进入中国市场。此外，格鲁吉亚与中国香港特别行政区之间的自由贸易协定也从2019年2月开始生效。中国市场正在成为格鲁吉亚生产商们的最大机会之一。

中国是格鲁吉亚的第三大贸易伙伴。2021年，虽然疫情肆虐，但两国的贸易仍实现了24%的增长，贸易额达到了15亿美元。作为该地区唯一与中国签署自由贸易协定的国家，中国市场连续两年成为格鲁吉亚产品的第一大出口市场。

格鲁吉亚的葡萄酒在中国市场越来越受欢迎。根据最新统计，中国是格鲁吉亚葡萄酒的第三大市场。2021，格鲁吉亚向中国出口了700多万瓶葡萄酒。

  “一带一路”

长久以来格鲁吉亚一直处于一个重要的十字路口，将东西方的经济和文化联系在一起。由于其在“一带一路”沿线和竞争激烈的市场中所处的战略位置，格鲁吉亚正致力于扩大其份额，并且恢复其作为该地区主要区域贸易、运输和物流中心的地位。事实上，数百年前，古代陆地和海上丝绸之路的巨大网络就曾穿越过格鲁吉亚。因此，我们认为，格鲁吉亚凭借其特殊的历史经历、丰富的社会和文化价值以及极具优势的战略位置，是继续拓展这方面努力的自然之地。

中国国家主席习近平提出的“一带一路”倡议已经成为中格两国关系的亮点。格鲁吉亚位于欧洲和亚洲之间，战略位置突出，因此希望更多地参与到这一全球性的合作项目中，因为它必将促进经济的增长和可持续发展。“一带一路”倡议能够重振古老的丝绸之路，为格鲁吉亚充分利用其运输潜力和积极参与国际贸易提供了极佳的机会。

格鲁吉亚位于欧亚交界处，地理位置十分重要。通过横贯里海的国际运输路线（“中间走廊”），将中国和欧洲连接在一起，使货物能够在12到14天的时间里从中国运输到欧盟。

格鲁吉亚是亚洲基础设施投资银行（亚投行）的创始成员国，也是第一个批准亚洲基础设施投资银行章程的国家。格鲁吉亚在中国的持续支持下，分别在2015年、2017年和2019年举办了三届第比利斯丝绸之路论坛。该论坛与其他机构一样，为“一带一路”倡议的发展做出了贡献，同时也为高级决策者、企业和社区领导人之间的多边高级别对话建立了一个国际平台。

 
格鲁吉亚——新的投资目的地

对于那些到访过我的祖国的人来说，无需讳言，格鲁吉亚不仅是一个风景秀丽、历史悠久、文化独特的国家，而且还是一个充满吸引人的商机和更多机会的地方。许多来访者已经开始在这里“落地生根”。这并不令人感到奇怪，因为格鲁吉亚正在快速发展成为世界上最具吸引力的投资目的地之一。

虽然鲜为人知，但格鲁吉亚的确是世界上最好的经商国家之一。在过去二十年里，格鲁吉亚已成为成功改革和快速发展的同义词。由于摒弃了大量的官僚主义做法，并实施了有利于商业的政策，格鲁吉亚得到了国际组织的认可，甚至被誉为“顶级改革者”。结果就是这个位于欧亚十字路口的小国正在迅速发展成为区域商业中心。

连接全球市场

格鲁吉亚曾经是古丝绸之路上一条重要的战略纽带，与黑海、俄罗斯、土耳其、亚美尼亚和阿塞拜疆接壤，如今它已经优先考虑了重新构建其在世界各地的贸易联系，并建立了稳固的自由贸易协定网络。

2014年，格鲁吉亚与欧盟签署了一项联合协议，其中包括一个深入全面的自由贸易协定（“DCFTA”）。2016年，格鲁吉亚还与欧洲自由贸易联盟国家签署了自由贸易协定，这样就可以使格鲁吉亚的产品免税进入冰岛、列支敦士登、挪威和瑞士市场。此后，格鲁吉亚与中华人民共和国（包括香港）签署了自由贸易协定。又与英国签署了自由贸易协定，该协定已于2021 年1月生效。除此以外，格鲁吉亚与独联体国家（包括白俄罗斯、哈萨克斯坦、俄罗斯、乌克兰、乌兹别克斯坦和土库曼斯坦）以及土耳其、阿塞拜疆和亚美尼亚等所有邻国也签订了自由贸易协定。在这种情况下，格鲁吉亚可以向拥有23亿人的市场提供免税准入。

随着美国、加拿大和日本对格鲁吉亚实施了普遍的优惠计划，格鲁吉亚开放越来越多市场的趋势正日趋加大，并因此降低了3400种出口商品的关税。现在，包括格鲁吉亚和以色列、格鲁吉亚和印度以及格鲁吉亚和美国在内的一系列拟议的自由贸易协定也正在制定的过程中。

作为一个主要的区域交通枢纽，格鲁吉亚通过新改造和扩建的运输基础设施，包括升级的公路、与国际连接的铁路（连接中国和土耳其）和港口网络，提供了重要的分销渠道和机会。格鲁吉亚的三个国际机场——第比利斯、巴统和库塔伊西提供了通往重要的国际连接的直接通道。

国际排名

· 在国际机构的评级中可以看出格鲁吉亚有利的投资环境，在世界银行公布的“2021营商环境”中，格鲁吉亚的“经商便利度”（在190个国家中）列在第七位。
· 穆迪的投资者服务公司将格鲁吉亚评定为Ba2，并保持了稳定的前景。
· 传统基金会将格鲁吉亚列为“2020年经济自由指数”的第12位（在180个国家中，它排名欧洲第六）。
· 福布斯2019年将格鲁吉亚列为161个国家中“最佳商业国家”的第44位。

运营成本最低的国家之一

格鲁吉亚良好的营商环境也体现在其极低的运营成本上。现在，格鲁吉亚拥有欧洲最低的公用事业成本、有竞争力的工资和最低的税收，这使其成为欧洲乃至更广泛地区最具成本效益的国家之一。超过75%的电力来自水力和风力发电，这使得其用电不仅便宜而且环保。自2017年以来，企业用于再投资的利润税为0%，社会保障缴费仅为2%。根据世界银行集团的统计，格鲁吉亚精简税制的做法使其总体税率成为全球第三最低国家。而且缴税非常简单和透明。公司可以通过商业银行在线缴税，最大限度地减少了程序和官僚作风。

税收只是众多方便经商的例子之一。事实上，当你在格鲁吉亚开始经商时，你注意到的第一件事就是这里的一切都是如此简单和透明。2020年，格鲁吉亚在世界银行公布的经商环境指数中排名第七。这不仅仅是一个排名，而且是你能实实在在感受到的。比方说，开办企业或注册所在地只需几个小时就能完成，而且去一个办事机构即可。在与任何政府部门打交道时，都可以体验到同样的简洁和方便。获得许可证或执照或与海关打交道时，一切也都是透明、公平的；最重要的是，不需要花太多时间。

根据反贿赂标准制定组织Trace International 发布的2020年全球商业贿赂风险指数，格鲁吉亚在经商时最不需要与政府互动方面排名第一，这一事实再次证明了格鲁吉亚所营造的低官僚作风和对经商有利的环境。

熟练的劳动力

格鲁吉亚历史上一直是该地区的教育中心，这一点可以从一个事实中得到印证，即现在格鲁吉亚拥有60多所高等院校，65个职业教育中心，它们培养出了新的专业人才，过去五年里有15万多名学生毕业。格鲁吉亚虽然面积不大，但给人留下深刻印象的是，借助新成立的库塔西国际大学不断增强的影响力，使该大学可以容纳6万名学生。库塔西国际大学的运营模式是与慕尼黑理工大学合作开发的，提供职业、本科、研究生和研究生后的学位课程，以及在科学和技术方面展开研究的可能性。库塔西国际大学还将联合其他具有区域重要性的大学，比如第比利斯州立大学、第比利斯技术大学和第比利斯伊利亚大学，后者与圣地亚哥州立大学也有合作关系。格鲁吉亚国民拥有多种语言的能力，这在蓬勃发展的国际商业服务业中得到了很好的体现。格鲁吉亚能够为投资者提供熟练的劳动力和积极性高的人力资源，助力他们实现目标和取得成功。

有关财政激励政策

从事以下行业的公司：电气和电子产品制造、飞机零部件制造、飞机维修和保养（MRO）、汽车零部件制造、业务服务出口/业务流程外包（BPO）、兴建仓库和物流中心，可以通过“投资格鲁吉亚”申请特殊的外国直接投资补助计划。该计划旨在补偿员工培训和基础设施升级所产生的部分费用。除了外国直接投资补助计划，制造业项目还可以免费使用国有财产（土地和地上建筑）。至于信息技术和海运公司，只要是服务格鲁吉亚的客户，公司利润和个人所得税都将减少到5%。此外，对于制造业或酒店业项目，还可以获得贷款利息或贷款抵押品补贴。

格鲁吉亚向投资者释放的信息非常简单直接——格鲁吉亚是世界各国公司投资的绝佳目的地，无论是进入区域市场、欧洲市场还是更广泛的亚洲市场；格鲁吉亚实行开放政策，帮助在格鲁吉亚境内和途经格鲁吉亚的外国公司和本土公司发展。