“Today, Georgia and Turkey are not only neighbors but also partners who actively cooperate for regional development, stability, and economic progress. Turkey is one of the most important trade partners for Georgia – in 2024, bilateral trade turnover exceeded 3 billion USD, which clearly indicates the close integration of our economies” – the Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development stated during her speech at the opening of the Georgia-Turkey Business Forum.

Mariam Kvrivishvili opened the ongoing forum in Tbilisi together with Ömer Bolat, the Minister of Trade of the Republic of Turkey. In her speech, the Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia focused on the fact that about 80 Turkish and 160 Georgian companies are represented at the business forum. According to the Minister’s assessment, this clearly indicates how high the interest of the business sectors of both countries is in establishing strong and results-oriented ties.

Mariam Kvrivishvili briefed the Turkish government and business sector representatives participating in the forum on Georgia’s recent economic progress and spoke about the role and importance of cooperation with Turkey in this regard. According to her, Georgia recorded higher-than-forecast economic growth in 2024, reaching 9,4%. Moreover, Georgia ranks third globally in terms of economic growth rate. As Mariam Kvrivishvili noted, 2025 also started with high growth in economic activity: according to preliminary data for January-May, average economic growth was determined at 8,8%.

“The Government of Georgia pays significant attention to issues of private sector development, improving transport and renewable energy capabilities, maintaining a predictable business environment, and promoting the attraction of foreign direct investments. It is noteworthy that over the past five years, Turkey has regularly increased its investments in Georgia, and in general, there are very close trade and economic relations between our countries” – Mariam Kvrivishvili stated.

The Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development provided information to the forum participants about the progress of strategic projects in Georgia. These include the development of the East-West Expressway, the Anaklia Deep Sea Port, the new Tbilisi International Airport, and the Black Sea Submarine Power Cable. Additionally, as Mariam Kvrivishvili noted, the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway project is in its final phase.

Kvrivishvili also spoke about the economic sectors where Georgia and Turkey successfully and productively cooperate. As she mentioned, the countries collaborate closely in the field of transport and logistics, which gains particular importance in the context of the development of the Middle Corridor as a strategic transport route.

“The active participation of Turkish companies in the Georgian economy is particularly important for us. Currently, over 2 700 companies established with Turkish capital operate in various sectors in Georgia. The special role of Turkish companies in investments made in Georgia’s energy sector is noteworthy – over the past 5 years alone, their volume exceeds 150 million USD, which once again indicates the attractiveness of our country in this direction” – Mariam Kvrivishvili specified.

As part of the Turkish delegation’s visit, the parties signed a decision on establishing the Joint Committee, which provides for amending the Free Trade Agreement to replace the rules of origin with the new revised PEM (Regional Convention on Pan-Euro-Mediterranean Preferential Rules of Origin) rules.