TBILISI, DFWatch-Georgia and Ukraine plan to increase bilateral trade turnover to one billion USD in 2013.

This was reported by Ukrainian media after a meeting between Vice Prime Minister of Ukraine Olexandr Vilkul and Georgian Ambassador Mikhail Ukleba.

Vilkul said that turnover between the two states has increased by 8 percent during the past five months compared to the same period last year and is now USD 300 million.

Turnover between Ukraine and Georgia in all of 2012 was USD 794 million.

“Our common goal is to reach billion dollars of annual turnover in 2013,” Vilkul said, adding that Ukraine is focusing maximally on reducing bureaucratic procedures and that it is important to share Georgia’s experience in this area.

“As chairman of the joint Ukrainian-Georgian intergovernmental commission on economic cooperation, I will endeavor to implement best Georgian practices in Ukraine,” he added.

Vilkul and Ukleba also discussed tourism development and deepening cultural-humanitarian relations.