   
  
WT/MIN(24)/ST/71  
26 February  2024 
(24-1564) Page: 1/2 
Ministerial Conference  
Thirteenth Session  
Abu Dhabi, 26 -29 February 2024  Original: English  
 
STATEMENT BY H.E. MR GENADI ARVELADZE  
DEPUTY MINISTER OF ECONOMY AND  
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT  
GEORGIA  
I am deeply honored to address the thirteenth session of WTO 's Ministerial Conference.  
 
On behalf of the Government of Georgia, I would like to congratulate the WTO Secretariat with the 
successful organization of this conference and extend special thanks to the Government of the United 
Arab Emirates for hosting this important event.  
 
It has b een more than three years, since the world and the multilateral trading system have been 
confronted with severe challenges triggered by the COVID -19 pandemic with major effects on 
countries globally.  Although the world has overcome the uncertainties caused  by the pandemic, we 
still experience the hardships instigated  by regional military confrontations triggering inflation and 
global supply -chain disruptions which is the major cause for increased protectionism. Today, more 
than ever, the world needs the mos t straightforward and well -organized multilateral trading system 
to cope with existing challenges.   
 
Georgia underscores the relevance and critical role of international trade and the WTO in global 
economic recovery. Trade policy related actions set out in  various declarations and decisions are 
designed to contribute to the WTO response to the current challenges and to enhance resilience 
against future uncertainties.  
 
Georgia is a responsible Member of the WTO committed with its values and principles. We a re 
targeted in achieving maximum openness, transparency, regional and global integration of our 
economy. By continuing to implement economic reforms, Georgia still remains the country pursuing 
one of the most liberal trade regimes and economic policies in the world, posing as a sustainable 
and reliable partner for the other countries globally as well as across the region.  
 
With the full implementation of the Trade Facilitation Agreement, Georgia is distinguished with its 
liberal foreign trade regimes, facil itated customs procedures, low import tariffs and minimum 
non-tariff regulations. With the liberal trade and economic policy incentives, Georgia continues to 
pursue the strategy of enhancing its role as a regional trade and transit hub.   
 
We attach great s ignificance to the development of  the IT sector reflected by Georgia 's joining  of 
the expanded Information Technology Agreement , which we consider as one of the major steps 
forward for attracting investments in this sector.   
 
While the WTO provides an opportunity for global integration, Georgia continues its aspiration in 
forming preferential trade arrangements with markets inside and outside the region. Georgia enjoys 
multiple free trade agreements covering quality markets of over 2 billion consumers p roviding 
increased market access opportunities for Georgian private sector. Being today in Abu  Dhabi, I am 
delighted to note that we have just recently signed the CEPA with the United Arab Emirates , which 
further consolidates our trade and economic cooperation.   
 
Georgia 's economic policy continues to tapping into new opportunities for the country 's subsequent 
development, especially in terms of attracting foreign investments as well as supporting th e 
development of SMEs and introduce the best international practices.  WT/MIN(24)/ST/71  
 
- 2 - 
 
  We are delighted to note that Georgia joined the Ministerial Declaration on the Investment 
Facilitation for Development. Georgia commends the progress made in the negotiations resulting in 
the finalized text of the Agreement , which will act as an important instrument for the promotion to 
foreign direct investment thus fostering economic growth, poverty reduction, job creation and 
technology transfer.  
 
Georgia is also a Member of the decla ration on MSMEs addressing the challenges faced by small 
businesses and setting the objectives as well as possible solutions to ensure their full integration in 
global value chains.  
 
Georgia was among the first to join the negotiated disciplines on servic es domestic regulation, which 
aims to facilitate trade in services and mitigate unintended trade -restrictive effects of measures 
relating to licensing requirements and procedures, qualification requirements and procedures and 
technical standards. Georgia h as finalized the certification procedures  with the active engagement 
and consultations conducted by the EU giving the disciplines legal effect.   
 
Georgia very positively evaluates Members ' efforts and the WTO's contribution to secure an 
agreement on fisher ies subsidies by this Ministerial , which would end the 20 years of hard 
negotiations. We believe that the new disciplines eliminating subsidies to Illegal, Unreported and 
Unregulated (IUU) fishing and prohibiting certain forms of fisheries subsidies that c ontribute to 
overcapacity and overfishing , which underpins the UN Sustainable Development Goals Target 14.6, 
will serve its purpose and contribute to greater environmental sustainability. In this regard, Georgia 
positively considers joining the Agreement.  
 
Georgia acknowledges the need for WTO reform and welcomes the efforts to address the challenges 
it faces to ensure its proper functioning. We closely observe the reform initiatives and 
recommendations offered by Members and support transparent and inclus ive discussions on this 
matter.   
 
We reaffirm our commitment towards the principles of open and transparent trade, constructiveness 
and readiness to contribute at the maximum possible extent to the development of liberal 
multilateral trading system leading  to the sustainable global economic growth.  
 
The importance of MC13 is instrumental and I wish the Ministerial a fruitful and successful outcome.  
 
__________  