Georgian, Kazakh PMs discuss trade, investment after signing strategic partnership declaration

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze met with Kazakh Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov during his official visit to Kazakhstan, with the two sides pledging to deepen political and economic cooperation following the signing of a strategic partnership declaration.

According to the Georgian Government Administration, the declaration marked the beginning of a new phase in bilateral relations and was expected to further strengthen cooperation in political, economic and sectoral areas.

The two prime ministers also welcomed the signing of several memorandums of understanding during the visit, saying they provide a solid foundation for expanding cooperation across multiple sectors.

“Our visit to Kazakhstan has special significance because we signed the Declaration on Strategic Partnership. It will create new opportunities to deepen and strengthen bilateral cooperation and further reinforce the friendship between our countries and peoples,” Kobakhidze said during the expanded-format meeting.

The Georgian prime minister described Kazakhstan as one of Georgia's key partners and praised the country's recent economic progress and institutional reforms.

He also thanked Kazakhstan for supporting Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity and expressed confidence that the strategic partnership agreement would create new opportunities for expanding economic and political ties.

“Kazakhstan is a very important partner for Georgia. We are seeing very positive trends in the development of our economic relations, and we are confident that this visit and the strategic partnership agreement will open new opportunities for further deepening our bilateral cooperation,” Kobakhidze said.

Bektenov congratulated Kobakhidze on receiving Kazakhstan's First-Class Order of Dostyk (Order of Friendship) and described Georgia as a reliable friend and an important strategic partner in the South Caucasus.

“Kazakhstan considers Georgia a trusted friend and an important strategic partner in the South Caucasus,” Bektenov said.

He also highlighted Georgia's growing role as a regional transport and logistics hub connecting Central Asia, the South Caucasus, the Black Sea region and Europe.

According to Bektenov, bilateral trade reached $53 million during the first four months of the year, demonstrating significant potential for further economic cooperation.

He added that Kazakh investment in Georgia has exceeded $570 million over the past two decades and noted that more than 600 companies with Georgian participation currently operate in Kazakhstan.

Bektenov proposed that the two countries' intergovernmental commission prepare concrete proposals for new joint investment and industrial projects, identifying food processing, petrochemicals, transport services, manufacturing, construction materials and logistics among the priority sectors.

“Kazakhstan's government is ready to further deepen dialogue and practical cooperation with the Government of Georgia,” he said.

Following the meeting, Kobakhidze wrote on X that the two delegations had discussed expanding trade and investment, strengthening regional connectivity and further deepening people-to-people ties.