Chinse President Xi Jinping's proposal of the "Belt and Road" initiative is "a new impetus" to the longstanding friendship between China and Georgia, and will strengthen the relationship "from good to very good," said Davit Usupashvili, Chairman of the Parliament of Georgia, who was attending the Asian Political Parties' Special Conference on the Silk Road in Beijing on Friday.

Davit Usupashvili, Chairman of the Parliament of Georgia, meets with Chinese press in Beijing on Friday while attending the Asian Political Parties' Special Conference on the Silk Road. [Photo by Chen Boyuan / China.org.cn]

The Special Conference, hosted by the International Department of the CPC Central Committee (IDCPC), aimed at seeking a consensus concerning common development and prosperity for countries on the Belt and Road. It offered an opportunity for major Asian political parties to "bring closer visions," said Usupashvili.

Usupashvili showed his optimism that Georgia, which sits right at the center of the Eurasian Continent, could play a bigger role in linking China from the Far East to Europe, while participating in the Belt and Road Initiative itself means opportunity.

The first international freight train from China arrived in Tbilisi, capital of Georgia on Feb. 10 this year, a new milestone for the shaping of Silk Road Economic Belt. The transport from west China's Xinjiang to the west Asian country was "at least 50 percent cheaper and faster," according to the top legislator of Georgia.

"The train came through existing infrastructure. If it is modernized, the speed could be even higher while costs could lower," said Usupashvili, implying development opportunities lie everywhere on the new Silk Road.

Georgia is among the first countries to ratify the agreement to establish the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), the China-led international financial institution specially established for "Belt and Road" common development.

Usupashvili said that Georgia is unable to make financial contributions to the AIIB due to its own limited financial capacity but it is ready to "offer everything it possesses for the success of the project."

"Georgia has a low tax rate, among other factors, which will help create a business-friendly environment. According to the World Bank, Georgia is No. 15 in the ease of doing business and at No. 5 in starting a business," said Usupashvili, noting that the 200 plus Chinese companies which are investing in Georgia are evidence of the country’s sound policies.

Last month, China and Georgia signed a currency swap deal. Usupashvili said the agreement was only "the first step to be followed by other steps" and that it would "lead to other interactions" that both sides want, said Usupashvili. He believed the tourism sector in Georgia and the exports of Georgian wine to China would be the first to benefit from the currency swap deal.

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