MINISTRY OF ECONOMY
AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
OF GEORGIA

First Vice Prime Minister, Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development Levan Davitashvili met with the Minister of Tourism of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Ahmed Al Khateeb visiting Georgia within the celebration even of the World Tourism Day 2024 of the United Nations Tourism Organization.

A wide range of trade and economic relations between the two countries was discussed by the counterparts. It was noted that Georgia welcomes the deepening of cooperation with Saudi Arabia in various sectors of the economy, including trade, investment, transport and logistics, agriculture and tourism. The parties positively evaluated the activities of the Coordination Council between the two countries, which was established in January 2024. The importance of the Council in terms of bringing closer the two countries was emphasized.

The parties also covered the prospect of further deepening of cooperation in trade. It was noted that Georgia is interested in starting negotiations on Free Trade with the member countries of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf which includes Saudi Arabia along with other states.

Activation of business relations between Georgia and Saudi Arabia was given a special emphasis. It was noted that the strengthening of business ties between Georgian and Saudi businessmen is facilitated by the activities of the Georgia-Saudi Business Council, which organizes business forums on a regular basis.

The parties also highlighted the productive cooperation between Georgia and Saudi Arabia in the tourism and civil aviation sectors, as a result of which the number of direct flights and visitors from Saudi Arabia has significantly increased. In particular, in the first half of 2024, the number of visitors from Saudi Arabia to Georgia is by 44% higher compared to the same period of the previous year.

After the meeting, a Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in the Field of Tourism was signed between the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia and the Ministry of Tourism of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The document envisages coordinated work of the parties in order to ensure the sustainable development of the tourism industry in both countries, as well as the exchange of information and best practices on tourism, the promotion of participation in events organized in the direction of tourism in the two countries, the exchange of information on investment packages, conducting promotional activities and mutual exchange of expertise in the field.