Georgia to start direct flight from Mumbai soon

Georgia is a country in the Caucasus region of Eurasia. It is located at the crossroads of Western Asia and Eastern Europe. The country is already a popular choice for Indian film shooting and in recent years it is emerging as a preferred destination for Indian tourists and students opting for higher studies in medicine.

World Trade Center Mumbai and All India Association of Industries (AIAI) organised an interactive meeting with H. E. Mr. Vakhtang Jaoshvili, Ambassador of Georgia to explore areas of mutual collaboration in trade, investment, tourism, education and other sectors.

Speaking at the event, H. E. Mr. Jaoshvili mentioned, “Georgia is a young country as it attained statehood a few decades ago. But it has a rich tradition and our ties with India goes back to several centuries. Indian characters are depicted in the 12th Century epic Georgian masterpiece “The Knight in the Panther‟s Skin”, by the national poet Mr. Shota Rustaveli. We value our bilateral relations, which is steadily growing and we are working at the highest level to improve it further. India has opened a resident Embassy in Georgia and very soon India will appoint an Ambassador to Georgia.”

The Ambassador informed, “The number of Indian tourists visiting Georgia has grown 64% in six months of this year compared to last year and we expect 130,000 Indian tourists this year, up from 80,000 last year. Around 16,000 Indian students are studying in Georgia. More and more Indian tourists and students are showing interest in Georgia in recent times. In order to promote people to people ties, we are working with airline companies to start direct flight service between Mumbai and Georgia. Already, there is direct flight service between Delhi and Georgia.”

Speaking about the ease of doing business in Georgia, the Ambassador remarked, “Georgia is the world’s 7th best country for doing business as it has taken several reforms in the last decade to reduce corruption and bring transparency in government budgets. It takes only one day to set up a company. There is no restriction for foreign investors to own land. Agricultural land can be acquired on 99-year lease, which can be extended further. Georgia has signed free trade agreements with many countries and hence it has duty free market access to a consumer market of 3 billion.”

In his remarks, Mr Satinder Pal Singh Ahuja, Honorary Consul General of Georgia in Mumbai mentioned, “Ambassador H.E Mr Jaoshvili has taken charge of this post only six months ago and this is his first official trip out of Delhi. India and Georgia have many cultural similarities. Both the countries believe in “Atiti Devo Bhava”, that is: “Guest is equal to God”. We will soon connect Mumbai to Georgia by launching direct flight service and it will hardly take 4.5 hours to fly.”

Earlier in his welcome address, Dr Vijay Kalantri, President - All India Association of Industries and Chairman, WTC Mumbai pointed out, “Georgia is a beautiful, scenic country with lot of tourism potential as it is a cheaper, alternative destination for Switzerland. Indian companies can make Georgia a gateway to their EU market entry as the country is strategically located and cost competitive. Both countries can identify focus sector such as automotive, engineering, agro, food processing and pharmaceuticals to grow bilateral trade and investment.”

Capt. Somesh Batra, Vice Chairman, WTC Mumbai proposed vote of thanks for the event. Capt. Batra assured that WTC Mumbai will support Georgian Embassy in all possible ways to strengthen bilateral economic relations and he suggested the Ambassador to visit WTCs in Goa, Jaipur and Bhubaneswar to promote Georgia in these regions as well.

The event was attended by consular corps, members of trade and industry and government officials.