Georgia talks reveal thirst for food and drink exports

Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce held talks with a delegation from Georgia, as part of the Eastern European nation 's bid to increase food and drink exports to the UK.

The delegation from the Georgian Embassy in London and its exporting arm Enterprise Georgia visited Chamber House in Edgbaston to discuss bilateral trade opportunities.

The visit coincided with the Food and Drink Expo at the NEC, at which Georgian food and drink products - including dried foods, fresh juices, honey and bay leaves - were being showcased.

The total value of trade in goods and services between the UK and Georgia was worth £194m last year, according to the Department for International Trade (DIT) - but deputy head of mission at the Georgian Embassy, George Saganelidze, believes there is potential to increase this.

Wine is currently Georgia 's biggest export to the UK and Mr Saganelidze says there is a thirst to have more products on shelves in UK supermarkets.

He said: “Georgia has not really had very big trade with the UK but we are trying to develop it a bit more.

“Wine is the biggest product of Georgia that is exported in the UK. So the main reason for our participation here and our production companies is to get more and more Georgian products in the UK market - mostly in supermarkets and retailers.

“With the support of the Georgian Embassy in the UK and Enterprise Georgia we have been able to have around 10 Georgian products exhibiting here in Birmingham and we hope it will lead to some great results.

“We had around 10 Georgian products that are exhibiting and hope it will lead to some great results. ”

The Chamber 's international director and international business manager Stefanie Bowes also discussed opportunities for Greater Birmingham firms to collaborate with Georgian counterparts in sectors such as transport, tourism, technology and agriculture.

Ms Bowes said: “It was fantastic to welcome Minister George Saganelidze and his colleagues from the Embassy of Georgia to Birmingham, as part of their visit to the Food and Drink Expo at the NEC.

“It was great to hear of so many opportunities for UK businesses that sit within the transport, Tourism, tech and agriculture sectors and we look forward to strengthening our relationship and supporting bi-lateral trade between our regions. ”