Launch of UAE-Georgia Business Forum in Tbilisi to enhance trade and investment, ahead of CEPA, by Thani Al Zeyoudi
Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of State for Foreign Trade, led a delegation of more than 30 UAE business leaders on a visit to the Republic of Georgia. The delegation participated in the first UAE-Georgia Business Forum in Tbilisi, aiming to promote bilateral investment and trade opportunities and private-sector collaboration. The forum was inaugurated by Dr. Al Zeyoudi and Levan Davichihvili, Georgia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development, and attended by senior officials and leading representatives of the business communities in both countries.
In his address to the forum, Dr. Al Zeyoudi highlighted the new chapter in the countries’ relationship and pointed to greater trade and investment flows that both sides can now look forward to. He emphasized that the UAE and Georgia have been committed to pursuing a deeper, stronger partnership over the last six months to accelerate bilateral trade, boost investment, and develop opportunities in priority sectors such as artificial intelligence, agriculture, tourism, transportation, energy, and climate change.
Dr. Al Zeyoudi highlighted the UAE’s beneficial investment climate that can offer Georgian enterprises a supportive ecosystem as well as unrivalled global connectivity to enable them to scale and expand. He also highlighted the Ministry’s NextGenFDI initiative, which is offering a package of market-entry incentives – including fast-track business licensing, bulk visa issuance, and access to banking – to companies operating in new economic sectors such as advanced technology, artificial intelligence, robotics, and fintech.
During the UAE-Georgia Business Forum, Dr. Al Zeyoudi met with a number of ministers and officials in the Georgian government, beginning with a bilateral meeting with Davichihvili and Ilia Darsiashvili, Georgia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs. The two sides discussed the roadmap for the Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement (CEPA) and pressed for more joint economic and commercial cooperation.
Al Zeyoudi also held discussions with Ottar Shamioga, Minister of Environment Protection and Agriculture of Georgia, to discuss food security and renewable energy projects, and Irakli Karsiladze, Minister of Regional Development and Infrastructure of Georgia, to pursue investment opportunities in logistics and energy.
The UAE delegation to Georgia included Ahmed Ibrahim Al Nuaimi, UAE Ambassador to the Republic of Georgia; Rashid Abdul Karim Al Balushi, Under-Secretary of the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED); Juma Muhammad Al Kait, Assistant Under-Secretary for International Trade Affairs at the Ministry of Economy; Abdullah Sultan Al Owais, Deputy Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry and Chairman of the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Jamal Jarwan, Secretary-General of the Emirates Council for Investors Abroad, and a number of representatives of federal and local government agencies, businessmen, and the private sector.
The UAE and Georgia have strengthened their economic ties over the years. In 2022, the non-oil bilateral trade between the two countries reached AED1.7 billion (US$468 million), which is 110 percent more than in 2021. The UAE’s investment in Georgia has also increased over the years, with Emirati companies investing in various sectors such as hospitality, agriculture, and infrastructure.
The UAE’s interest in Georgia is driven by the country’s strategic location, which provides a gateway to the Caucasus region, Central Asia, and Europe. Georgia also offers a favorable investment climate, with a low tax rate, streamlined business procedures, and a stable political and economic environment.
