Georgia takes the spotlight at CIFIT in Xiamen

As guest country of honor at the ongoing China International Fair For Investment and Trade, which kicked off in Xiamen, Fujian province, on Monday, Georgia is taking the spotlight.

During this year's event, Georgia has an exhibition pavilion of 800 square meters, with dozens of established companies from the country showcasing their products, trade potential and investment opportunities in wine, food and fashion design.

The Georgian pavilion inauguration ceremony was held on the opening day.

A Sino-Georgian business forum took place on Monday, themed on the potential cooperation between the two countries under the umbrella of the Belt and Road Initiative.

This year marks the 25th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Georgia.

Delegates from Georgia delivered keynote speeches on the country's achievements and bright future, including senior officials in agriculture, the economy and sustainable development, infrastructure and railway construction. Sitting at the junction of Asia and Europe, Georgia has enjoyed a strategic location along the Silk Road route since ancient times.

The speakers also shared their experiences in Belt and Road Initiative-related infrastructure projects with forum participants.

A growing number of Chinese are becoming interested in exploring opportunities in Georgia.

Among them is CEFC China Energy, which has gained a firm foothold in the country.  

The company will sign a contract for the Common Market Zone at this year's CIFIT, the first overseas cooperation zone project signed after the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation in Beijing in May.

"We want to turn the Common Market Zone in Georgia into what Shenzhen is to China, and what Singapore is to the world," said Chen Qiutu, president of CEFC.

By 2020, CEFC aims to invest $60 million in Georgia's Common Market Zone, which is expected to attract over $100 million in investments in the future.

During the Belt and Road forum, CEFC signed two cooperation contracts related to banking and infrastructure projects.

The company has set up the Georgia Development Bank with the local government and a construction fund, aiming to support infrastructure projects involving road links, power grids and telecommunications.

More than 50 Georgian companies will discuss cooperation potential in sectors such as wine, beverages, food processing and textiles.

The administrative committee of the Xiamen section of the China (Fujian) Pilot Free Trade Zone will host a conference on the investment opportunities underpinning the Silk Road during CIFIT.

Delegates from the Georgian government will brief Chinese companies on the country's investment environment and will showcase the projects in the Xiamen zone.

Located in the center of Eurasia, the country is a vital strategic post along the ancient Silk Road.