In an interview with "Rossiyskaya Gazeta" (Russian Newspaper) on May 12, in connection with the warming of relations with Georgia, Sergey Katyrin, the President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Russia (CCI), revealed plans for cooperation between entrepreneurs of the two countries.

According to him, this year, the Russian-Georgian Business Council was created at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry and started discussing related issues. "We are trying to find areas where we can move forward together. There is an interest in certain circles in Georgia. I cannot say that this is in the interest of the whole country. But among the business, many want and can. And he is looking for support from our side," Katyrin added.

"The resumption of flights to Georgia from May 15 and the easing of the visa regime is a signal that our country wants to cooperate with Georgia," the head of the CCI noted. "And the activities of the Russian-Georgian Business Council are not only trade and economic cooperation but also humanitarian issues. Today, May 12, the celebration of the Day of the Georgian Diaspora in Russia began. The program includes opening an exhibition of copies of ancient Georgian frescoes found in Russia, a festival of Georgian dance, and a regular meeting of the council. Our Georgian partners and business council members were preparing for the holiday with great enthusiasm," Katyrin emphasized.

He noted the progress in business relations with the Georgian side. "Recently, the issue with the supply of cognac spirits directly from Georgia was resolved. Our partners also want to arrange supplies of Georgian wine. So that more farms are certified and have the opportunity to sell them in Russia," Katyrin said. He admitted that Russia has no such acute problems as before with wine. "Many argue that our wines today are of very good quality - Kuban, Crimean, and so on. But there are other areas, such as tourism, for example," Katyrin said.

"It is also necessary to organize railway transit within the framework of the Silk Road route: China, the port of Iran Bandar Abbas, Astara [Iran], Astara [Azerbaijan], Gabala [Azerbaijan], Mirnauli [Georgia], through the territory of Abkhazia to Russia. This, among other things, will make it possible to conclude long-term contracts for gas and oil supply at stable and predictable prices," the head of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Russia stressed.

"Rail transit will also make it possible to unload the Upper Lars border crossing and reduce the cost of delivered goods by increasing their volume. Given the current situation with the transit of Russian goods through Turkey, the organization of such a scheme is vital," Katyrin stressed. "Today, the basis of Russian exports to Georgia are oil products, gas, coal, oil, wheat, and wheat flour. Georgia mainly exports wine, spirits, mineral water, ferroalloys, and cars. In the first three months of 2023, trade turnover grew by 73% by 2022. Currently, the Lipetsk Region and the Stavropol Territory show the most active interest in cooperation with Georgia. There are plans to organize a trip of their delegations to Georgia to meet with colleagues," he said.

"It would be interesting to create end-cycle enterprises in Georgia for products supplied from Russia. From the Georgian side, there are proposals on the construction of a plant for shelling and packaging of almonds, the construction of a garment factory, the organization of a metal hub for building structures," Katyrin concluded.

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