MINISTRY OF ECONOMY
AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
OF GEORGIA

Mariam Kvrivishvili: "I am pleased that in Georgia, together with the Minister of Economy of Azerbaijan and the Minister of Trade of Türkiye, we discussed issues of regional economic development and strengthening connectivity"

26-02-2026

“I am pleased to have hosted the Minister of Economy of Azerbaijan and the Minister of Trade of Türkiye in Georgia. Together, we discussed issues regarding regional economic development and the strengthening of connectivity. The Government of Georgia recognizes its essential role in the region and is committed to acting as a constructive and reliable partner in the process of regional development,” – the Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development, Mariam Kvrivishvili, stated during her opening speech at the Georgia-Azerbaijan-Türkiye Business Forum held in Kakheti.

Trilateral forum, which has been held since 2012, convened for the seventh time this year. Participants included the Minister of Trade of the Republic of Türkiye, Ömer Bolat, and the Minister of Economy of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Mikayil Jabbarov, as well as high-level delegations and representatives from more than 300 leading companies of the three countries.

“Active cooperation among our countries remains essential to advancing economic partnership, prosperity, and regional connectivity, both for our nations and the wider region. The participation of large-scale businesses underscores the private sector’s strong interest in deepening cooperation and implementing joint initiatives in key sectors such as energy, transport and logistics, healthcare, construction, agriculture, finance and tourism,” – the Minister of Economy noted.

Mariam Kvrivishvili provided the audience with information regarding Georgia’s economic growth and its business and investment environment, noting that over the last 4 years, average economic growth reached 9,3%. Furthermore, according to IMF forecasts, Georgia is expected to maintain significantly high medium-term growth of 5,1% during 2026-2030. Kvrivishvili highlighted that today, over 2805 companies with Turkish capital and over 1660 companies with Azerbaijani capital operate in Georgia. According to the Minister, in 2025, Türkiye was Georgia’s number one trading partner, while trade turnover with Azerbaijan ranked 7th. Meanwhile, total investments from Azerbaijan have surpassed 3,1 billion USD, while the investments from Türkiye have exceeded 2,4 billion USD over the years.

The Minister also emphasized the importance of developing transport and logistics links, with a specific focus on the Middle Corridor. She stated that this is a strategic priority for the Georgian government, with significant investments directed toward core infrastructure, including railways, highways, ports, and logistics facilities. By 2032, the government plans to mobilize 7 billion USD in transport and logistics infrastructure to modernize connectivity.

“This sustained commitment reflects our long-term vision to strengthen regional connectivity and position Georgia as a reliable and competitive transit bridge between Europe and Asia. Georgia has reached a significant milestone by modernizing the main railway line and the East-West Highway, much of which is already completed and operational,” – Kvrivishvili added.

Kvrivishvili also focused on civil aviation projects, particularly the new Tbilisi International Airport highlighting the long-standing partnership with TAV and noting the agreement extension until 2032, under which the operator will invest approximately 150 million USD between 2027 and 2031.

“In 2025, our three international airports hosted a record 8,5 million passengers. Tbilisi International Airport is the leader and we are pleased that one of our largest investors, TAV, comes from our friend, the Republic of Türkiye. I am glad that the investment environment in our country has strengthened, which in turn bolsters these companies as they grow within the Georgian market.” 
The Minister spoke extensively about the Anaklia Deep Sea Port project, stating it is crucial for creating more capacity for cargo movement. “The decision has been made to develop Anaklia Port. This will bring great benefits to Georgia, add value for our neighbors, and strengthen the Middle Corridor.”

Finally, she addressed energy cooperation, citing flagship projects like the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) pipeline and the South Caucasus Pipeline. She also highlighted future projects like the "Green Energy Corridor" and the "Black Sea Submarine Cable," which will connect the South Caucasus to the EU electricity market.

In her address, Mariam Kvrivishvili also spoke about the importance of cooperation in the energy sector between the countries and the flagship projects implemented within its framework. In this regard, the Minister emphasized the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) oil pipeline and the South Caucasus Pipeline projects. “Over the years, we have jointly implemented major oil and gas pipeline projects that have strengthened regional energy security and deepened the connection between our region and European markets,” – Mariam Kvrivishvili noted.

The Minister also highlighted future flagship energy connectivity projects, such as the Green Energy Corridor and the Black Sea Submarine Cable Project. According to Mariam Kvrivishvili’s assessment, these projects will connect Georgia and the South Caucasus countries to the European Union’s electricity market and further bolster the energy security of both the region and the EU.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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