Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia, H E Alexander Khvtisiashvili; Ambassador of Georgia to Qatar, H E Nikoloz Revazishvili; Director of Lulu Group International Dr. Mohamed Althaf; and others at Lulu Hypermarket, Abu Sidra Mall, yesterday.
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia, H E Alexander Khvtisiashvili, has said that the export of Georgian meat products to Qatar has increased hugely, thanks to Lulu Hypermarket and other partners in Qatar.
“This year we increased the quantity of Georgian products to Qatar with the support of our partners. A huge increase in the export of Georgian meat products namely lamb to Qatari market has also been recorded,” said Khvtisiashvili. He was speaking with media persons during his visit to Lulu Hypermarket, Abu Sidra Mall, yesterday.
The Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia was leading a delegation from Georgia comprising Ambassador of Georgia to Qatar, H E Nikoloz Revazishvili; Director of Middle East and Africa Department at Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia, Zurab Aleksidze; Senior Counselor Embassy of Georgia to Qatar, Aleksandre Jishkariani. Director of Lulu Group International Dr. Mohamed Althaf welcomed Alexander Khvtisiashvili and other members of the delegation. They toured Lulu Hypermarket where various types of Georgian food items were displayed prominently in dedicated shelves.
Khvtisiashvili said that Lulu Hypermarket contributed greatly in increasing exports of Georgian products to Qatar. “It is very important to have such a great partner which is helping us in bringing Georgian products. Lulu is a huge retail chain... it is a prestige to bring the products to this store,” said Khvtisiashvili.
He thanked Director of Lulu Group International for supporting market share of Georgian products in the Qatari market. “From our side as an exporting country, we are committed to maintain quality of the products and good relations with partners in Qatar,” said Khvtisiashvili.
He said that Lulu prominently displayed various Georgian products such as fruits, honey, tea, juices and mineral water. “We have planned to increase the quantity and range of products with the support of our partners in Qatar like Lulu Hypermarket. We want to export some new products to the Qatari market like agricultural produce,” said Khvtisiashvili.
He said that during his visit to Qatar he discussed with local authorities ways to enhance trade relations between the two countries. “Georgia is importing oil, gas and chemical products among others from Qatar. We are expecting visit of a high level delegation from Qatar to Georgia with businessmen to enhance further bilateral trade,” said Khvtisiashvili.
Speaking about tourists from Qatar to Georgia, he said: “We have direct flights and a visa-free regime to attract large number of visitors from Qatar. Before the pandemic, we did a good job in increasing the number of tourists from Qatar to Georgia and Georgia to Qatar.”
He said that a huge number of people from Georgia are expected to visit Qatar to enjoy the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.
“Georgia is producing high quality textile, footwear, food products, agricultural produce which have good demand in the Qatari market,” said Khvtisiashvili. To a question about the purpose of his visit to Qatar, he said that it aims at enhancing ties between the two countries in several fields like trade, diplomacy and international cooperation to support each other in future. “Georgia has potential for investment in various areas such as energy, logistics, transportation, agriculture,” said Khvtisiashvili.
Director of Lulu Group International Dr. Mohamed Althaf said: “We are honoured to welcome Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia who speared some time from his busy schedule to visit Lulu Hypermarket, Abu Sidra Mall, which shows their serious interest in boosting further business with Lulu.”
He said they discussed how to promote trade between Lulu and Georgia can support in ensuring food security in Qatar. “I believe the visit is very successful.
Lulu Hypermarket launched the first-ever Georgian Food Festival in Qatar in June this year which attracted a large number of customers from citizens and expatriates. I think this trend will continue in the future,” said Dr. Althaf.
