Georgia and Uzbekistan explore 'deeper' economic and trade cooperation during Ministers' meeting

As part of her official visit to Uzbekistan, Georgia’s Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development, Mariam Kvrivishvili, met with Laziz Kudratov, Uzbekistan’s Minister of Investments, Industry, and Trade. The meeting was also attended by high-level representatives from Uzbekistan’s Ministries of Agriculture, Information Technology, and other key institutions, according to the Georgian Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development.

The two sides discussed priority areas for bilateral economic and trade cooperation, focusing particularly on the growing trade turnover between the countries. In 2024, bilateral trade increased by 40%, with Georgian exports up by 27%. During the January–May period of 2025, trade turnover rose by another 20%, and exports surged by 46%. Despite these positive dynamics, both sides noted that there is still significant untapped potential.

Georgian side expressed strong interest in expanding cooperation with Uzbekistan, and the sides positively assessed ongoing business missions and trade forums as key tools for enhancing bilateral engagement.

Special attention was paid to boosting the transportation of Uzbek cargo through Georgia’s logistics corridors. Kvrivishvili highlighted Georgia’s strategic infrastructure projects supporting the development of the Middle Corridor, including the Anaklia deep-sea port, the Baku–Tbilisi–Kars railway, the modernization of Georgian Railways, and the planned new airport in Tbilisi. The Uzbek side expressed interest in participating in the Anaklia port development.

The discussion also touched on energy cooperation. Minister Kvrivishvili briefed her counterpart on the progress of the Black Sea Submarine Electricity Cable project. Uzbekistan, in turn, expressed its readiness to cooperate with Middle Corridor countries, including Georgia, to export its green energy resources to the European Union.

Innovation and technology were identified as another key area of partnership. The ministers acknowledged the presence of Uzbek innovative companies in Georgia and discussed Georgia’s success in developing an innovation ecosystem and attracting international tech firms — an experience that proved of particular interest to the Uzbek side.

Further cooperation prospects were explored in agriculture, civil aviation, and tourism. The officials noted that three airlines currently operate direct flights between Georgia and Uzbekistan, which has contributed to a significant increase in Uzbek tourist arrivals — 23.4% in 2024 and 14.5% in the first half of 2025. Both sides agreed that increasing flight frequency could further strengthen tourism ties.

The meeting at Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Investments, Industry, and Trade was also attended by Georgian Deputy Ministers of Economy and Sustainable Development Genadi Arveladze, Guram Guramishvili, and Irakli Nadareishvili.