Georgian Deputy Economic Development Minister Tamar Kovziridze traveled to Istanbul in March 2006 to address the Turkish-Georgian Business Council, which operates under the umbrella of the Foreign Economic Relations Board (DEIK).

Kovziridze promoted Georgia as an attractive destination for Turkish investors, citing an annual inflation rate of 6.2 percent and a per-capita income of $1,450. She emphasized that the country is actively privatizing state assets, with opportunities including the national telephone operator and Batumi Port.

She also noted that Türkiye ranks as Georgia's second-largest trading partner, behind Russia.

Turkish-Georgian Business Council Chairman Tugrul Erkin said bilateral trade had grown sharply over the previous 8 to 10 years, rising from $200 million to $600 million annually.

Historical summary. TurkishPress restated this wire report, first published in March 2006, in its own words.