On the occasion of the Italy-Georgia Business Forum, SACE (Cassa depositi e prestiti group) and the Georgian investment fund
Partnership Fund announced the signing of a new collaboration agreement intended to expand business opportunities between the two countries.
As part of the agreement, the two companies undertake to promote exports and investments between Italy and Georgia through the identification of projects of common interest, the exchange of information and the sharing of best practices, including the possibility of using innovative services of advisory and technical assistance to support companies - mainly SMEs - in the development of projects in key sectors for the growth of the two economies.
The agreement signed by the President of SACE Beniamino Quintieri and the CEO of the Partnership Fund David Saganelidze completes and adds to the collaboration already started in 2015 when SACE was awarded an advisory contract for the establishment and start-up of the new agency's activities of Georgian export credit, controlled by the Partnership Fund, to which it provided consultancy services and a technical training program with the aim of transferring the tools and know-how necessary to support Georgian companies in the development of export activities.
"With this initiative we add a new element to the precious partnership with the Georgian Fund and we are committed to actively supporting the economic-commercial relations between Italy and Georgia, to contribute to the identification of new cross-border opportunities to the full advantage of our companies" - declared Beniamino Quintieri.
David Saganelidze welcomed the new agreement with enthusiasm, saying that "it will strengthen the cooperation that began two years ago, when we appointed SACE as advisor for the creation of the Georgian export credit agency through which today we are able to concretely support the internationalization paths of our businesses".
In contrast to the complex regional picture, Georgia is today one of the most dynamic economies in the Caucasus with a GDP growth rate approaching 3% and a business climate that is constantly improving thanks to the reforms promoted by the government aimed at greater differentiation of the economy. It is no coincidence that Italian exports to the country are growing at a rapid pace (+37% in the first ten months of 2016) and interesting opportunities are emerging for Italian companies especially in the energy, agro-business and food processing sectors , rubber and plastic and packaging.
