"When talking about the Silk Road, an impression is created that this road connects only China and Europe. As things stand, this may be so, but the situation will soon change. We know that in 20 years the population of India will be twice that of China. We also know that India's population will be much younger than China's, which means that India's labor force will greatly outnumber China's. A population boom is also expected in Pakistan and Bangladesh. Such rapid population growth in these countries, which already have quite flexible export markets, will further develop their production and further increase trade links. Today, Tbilisi should think about how to open trade routes with South Asian countries. No one is talking about these topics yet, but this boom is inevitable... Due to its strategic location, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and even Vietnam can freely trade with Europe through Georgia. This is a unique opportunity that Tbilisi should use as soon as possible. By 2030, global trade will require the opening of new routes, and this will certainly happen. Georgia must do everything to establish itself as an important player in the new reality."

Fred Starr - Chairman of the Central Asia and Caucasus Institute. October, 2016