Georgia and Qatar have agreed to initiate negotiations on a bilateral free trade agreement (FTA), aiming to deepen their economic partnership. The announcement was made by Georgia’s First Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development, Levan Davitashvili, following a meeting with Qatar’s Minister of Commerce and Industry, Sheikh Faisal bin Thani bin Faisal Al Thani. Georgia’s Deputy Foreign Minister, Aleksandre Khvtisiashvili, also took part in the discussions.

The talks were held during Davitashvili’s official visit to Qatar, where discussions focused on strengthening bilateral ties in key sectors such as investment, energy, tourism, transportation, and communications, according to Georgia’s Ministry of Economy.

“We identified key areas for economic cooperation and agreed on actionable steps to implement existing agreements,” Davitashvili said. “A dedicated framework will be established to advance these efforts, including reciprocal visits by business delegations throughout the year to strengthen trade relations.”

A major outcome of the meeting was the agreement to begin negotiations on a free trade agreement similar to Georgia’s existing arrangement with the United Arab Emirates. Davitashvili emphasized that this would be a standalone bilateral agreement, separate from any broader regional initiatives involving the Gulf states.

He noted that initial discussions could commence as early as October during the 5th Silk Road Forum, scheduled for October 22–23 in Tbilisi. The Qatari delegation has received an official invitation to participate in the event.

“This forum offers a strategic opportunity to advance our economic cooperation. We look forward to welcoming the Qatari delegation to Georgia to initiate formal talks,” Davitashvili added.

The Georgian delegation also took part in the Fifth Qatar Economic Forum, held under the patronage of Emir Sheikh Tamim ibn Hamad Al Thani and organized in collaboration with Bloomberg. The event gathered over 2,500 global leaders, including top executives from multinational corporations like ConocoPhillips and J.P. Morgan.

“The Qatar Economic Forum provides a global stage to highlight Georgia’s economic strengths and investment potential,” Davitashvili remarked. “Our engagements with leaders from the U.S., Europe, and the Gulf will enhance Georgia’s appeal to international investors.”