Georgian President Saakashvili Invites Turkish Businessmen To Invest In His Country

ISTANBUL - President Mikheil Saakashvili of Georgia has invited Turkish businessmen to invest in Georgia.
Speaking at a luncheon hosted in his honor by Turkish-Georgian Business Council at Istanbul's Swissotel, President Saakashvili said on Friday, ''we should welcome foreign investors in a fair atmosphere. We should provide them with equal conditions and protection.''
President Saakashvili highlighted importance of the Kars-Tbilisi railway, one of joint projects of Turkish and Georgian governments, in regard to efforts to further improve economic and commercial relations between the two countries.
Recalling that a highway would be constructed next year between Turkey and Georgia, President Saakashvili said, ''the highway will enable us to reach from Istanbul to Batumi within 9-10 hours. We will also facilitate proceedings at border gates. We have prevented bribery and corruption at border gates. Meanwhile, we consider tourism a significant sector. Both Turkey and Georgia have a great potential for ecological tourism. We aim to form a serious structure for tourism. We want construction of small and medium scale hotels in Georgia. We are ready to help Turkish investors to this end.''
President Saakashvili said that the Batumi Airport would be rehabilitated and made an international airport for use by both Turkish and Georgian peoples.
Referring to military relations between Turkey and Georgia, President Saakashvili recalled that some Turkish military officials had trained Georgian soldiers.
President Saakashvili ended his speech by inviting Turkish businessmen to invest in Georgia.
(UK-AÖ) 21.05.2004