Georgia’s Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development, Mariam Kvrivishvili, met with Uzbekistan’s Minister of Transport, Ilkhom Mahkamov, to discuss expanding bilateral and regional cooperation, particularly in transport and logistics.

The meeting focused on key regional initiatives like the TRACECA route, the Middle Corridor, and the CAREC Program. Kvrivishvili outlined major Georgian infrastructure projects aimed at enhancing transit competitiveness, including the Anaklia Deep Sea Port, the East-West Highway, Tbilisi Airport, and the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars Railway.

Calling Uzbekistan a key economic partner, Kvrivishvili expressed Georgia’s readiness to deepen collaboration in trade, transport, logistics, and energy. She welcomed Uzbek investment, especially in the country’s growing port and logistics sectors.

Minister Mahkamov emphasized Uzbekistan’s interest in increasing cargo flow through Georgia’s transport corridor to 1.5 million tons and invited Kvrivishvili to a high-level regional meeting in September, which will include China and Kyrgyzstan, to discuss large-scale railway projects.

The two sides also discussed liberalizing civil aviation agreements to boost air travel and tourism. Kvrivishvili highlighted the potential for direct flights from Uzbekistan to Kutaisi International Airport and noted that visitor numbers from Uzbekistan rose by 23.4% in 2024, with a further 14.5% increase in the first half of 2025.

The meeting was attended by Georgian Deputy Ministers of Economy Guram Guramishvili, Irakli Nadareishvili, Gennady Arveladze, and Georgia’s Ambassador to Uzbekistan, Davit Kotaria.