Georgia’s Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development, Mariam Kvrivishvili, and Uzbekistan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bakhtiyor Saidov, met to explore new avenues for deepening economic cooperation, according to a statement released by Georgia’s Ministry of Economy.

The high-level meeting covered a broad spectrum of strategic sectors, including trade, investment, transport, international transit, logistics, tourism, and aviation. The talks underscored a mutual commitment to strengthening bilateral ties and building practical frameworks for long-term economic collaboration.

Minister Kvrivishvili presented Georgia’s recent economic performance and strategic development goals, highlighting the country’s sustained growth, rising employment, declining poverty, and record tourism figures. She emphasized Georgia’s appeal to foreign investors, pointing to its low tax regime, preferential access to global markets through free trade agreements, and strong international credit ratings. Forecasts from leading financial institutions suggest Georgia will rank among the fastest-growing economies globally by 2025, she noted.

“These advantages make Georgia an ideal destination for Uzbek investment, particularly in transport, logistics, energy, and real estate,” Kvrivishvili stated. “Our aim is to expand trade, business partnerships, sectoral investment, and tourism between our countries.”

The ministers also discussed plans for a future visit to Uzbekistan, where further cooperation mechanisms will be formalized and joint initiatives advanced.

A major focus of the meeting was transport and logistics cooperation, especially through the Middle Corridor — the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route linking Central Asia to Europe via the South Caucasus. Georgia’s strategic location and advanced infrastructure, including multifunctional ports in Poti and Batumi, oil terminals, and modern rail and road networks, position it as a growing regional transit hub. The country plays an active role in initiatives like TRACECA and CAREC, further cementing its connectivity credentials.

Uzbekistan remains a key economic partner for Georgia. From January to May 2025, bilateral trade increased by 20%, with Georgian exports rising by 46%. Full-year data from 2024 showed 40% growth in trade turnover, while Uzbek investment in Georgia continues to rise across sectors such as real estate, transportation, hospitality, and food services. Tourism cooperation is also strengthening, with Uzbekistan becoming an increasingly important source market for Georgia’s travel industry.

The meeting marked a significant step toward building a comprehensive economic partnership, aimed at fostering mutual growth and greater regional connectivity.