Economic cooperation with China is of great importance to Georgia's economic development, President Mikhail Saakashvili told Chinese reporters in Tbilisi late Saturday.

In a joint interview from Xinhua and China Youth Daily, Saakashvili, just ahead of his visit to China, noted that Georgia attaches great importance to the relations with China.

He said Georgia is the transportation hinge of Silk Road, which connects the Northwest China with Europe, via Central Asia and Caspian Sea. Georgia is also the bridge for Chinese merchandise into Europe.

Saakashvili said Georgia has broadened the areas of privatization to telecommunications, energy and transportation, trying to absorb more foreign investment, especially that from neighboring countries, and China's investment is very important.

He expects to solve the country's energy problem in the next three or four years, through cooperation with other countries.

Asked about the country's economic development in recent years, Saakashvili said Georgia's economy saw a 10-percent increase last year, and hoped it could maitain this rate in the next several years, which can help Georgia get rid of poverty.

Source: Xinhua