MINISTRY OF ECONOMY
AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
OF GEORGIA

Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development, George Kobulia held a meeting with the Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates, H.E. Essa Albasha Alnoaimi who entered the office this September.  

The meeting focused on bilateral trade and economic relations as well as on future priorities. It was noted that in spite of successful cooperation in different sectors of economy, the potential is very high. It was said that the opening of the United Arab Emirates Embassy in Georgia which is scheduled on September 12, 2018, as an important factor in the development of relations between the countries.

Georgian side expressed interest on starting discussions on the Free Trade Agreement with the Cooperation Council Arab States which the United Arab Emirates is a member of. It was noted that despite the growing trade, such an Agreement will bring Georgia’s economic cooperation with the Gulf countries up to a new level.

Prospects of cooperation in the field of investment and tourism were also covered at the meeting. It was noted that the United Arab Emirates was the first country among the Gulf countries, which invested in Georgia and is still among the country’s largest investors. The Emirates have invested up to 900 million USD in Georgia. The Georgian side has expressed readiness to deepen cooperation with the United Arab Emirates in this direction.

Prospects of expanding cooperation in the tourism sector was also discussed at the meeting. It was said that the UAE is an important tourist market for Georgia and it is desirable to deepen cooperation in this field. Relationships between countries in the direction of civil aviation received the most perspective evaluation by the parties – the two airlines from the UAE conduct 21 regular flights a week in Georgia.