Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili met with Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of State for Foreign Trade of the United Arab Emirates.

At the meeting, the bilateral relations between Georgia and the UAE, and prospects of future cooperation, were discussed. The conversation touched on the importance of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between Georgia and the UAE. According to Irakli Garibashvili, the agreement provides a solid foundation for the development of more robust and consolidated trade and economic relations between Georgia and UAE. It was emphasized that, as a result of signing this agreement, Georgia enjoys a free trade regime with the UAE, which means that a market of 10 million with high purchasing power has additionally opened up for Georgia.

It was also noted that Georgia is interested in deepening its partnership and friendly relations with the Gulf countries.

The Prime Minister spoke about Georgia’s important role in terms of connectivity with Europe and Asia, and also Near Eastern countries, as well as in the direction of transit.

The conversation at the meeting also touched on economic cooperation, and Georgia’s favorable investment environment and potential were discussed. It was noted that, according to statistics for the first 9 months of 2023, the trade turnover between Georgia and the UAE increased by 64% year-over-year to make up 312.91 million USD.

Export is up 60% to make up 35.69 million USD, while import is up 65% to make up 277.22 million USD.

At the meeting, the parties spoke about Georgia’s geostrategic location and historical transit role. It was underlined that, with the ongoing geopolitical events in the backdrop, the role of Georgia-as a country linking the East and the West-has grown even more important. The Minister of State for Foreign Trade of the United Arab Emirates is visiting Georgia within the scope of the Tbilisi Silk Road Forum.