Saakashvili visits Qatar to attract investments

Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili paid an official visit to Qatar as part of the authorities’ attempts to attract investments, Georgian officials said. The delegation, which also includes economy, agriculture and energy ministers, met Qatar’s Prime Minister Hamed Bin Jassim bin Jaber Al Thani, The Messenger reported. The aim of the visit is to attract investments to Georgia, members of the delegation said. The visit comes less than month after President Saakashvili traveled to Kuwait. During the talks, both sides signed an agreement on simplifying visa procedures for citizens holding diplomatic passports and discussed the details of deepening cooperation between the two countries, the Georgian President’s Administration said. The Georgian delegation presented a number of possible investment projects in Georgia. Despite the world financial crisis the Persian Gulf states are seeking a stable environment in which to invest their money. Consequently, we’re doing our best to attract additional investments to Georgia, said the head of the Georgian President’s Administration, Ekaterine Sharashidze. Georgian Economic Development Minister Zurab Pololikashvili said that intensifying relations with Qatar could be beneficial for Georgia. Meanwhile, Georgian Energy Minister Alexander Khetaguri, who also visited Qatar, discussed Georgian’s energy potential with members of the Qatar Energy Ministry.