Georgian PM highlights robust economic growth, infrastructure investments in interview with Gulf News

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Wednesday showcased Georgia’s strong economic performance, emphasising his Government’s commitment to sustaining this trend through liberal economic policies and major infrastructure projects to enhance Georgia’s role as a regional hub.

In his interview with the UAE publication Gulf News, Kobakhidze highlighted Georgia’s consistent economic growth, averaging over 9.5% since 2021, with a strong start to 2025 at 11.1%.

“We have multiple priorities, and one of the key priorities is Georgia's economic growth. Since 2021, the average economic growth in Georgia has been more than 9.5%; it was 9.5% last year, and we started this year with 11.1%. This means we are keeping this trend of economic growth consistent”, he said.

The Prime Minister underlined Georgia’s liberal tax and economic policies that attracted investment.

“We have very liberal economic and tax policies. Georgia offers a favourable environment for business and investment, which supports the country’s economic development. We are doing a lot to further promote economic development and invest in strengthening Georgia’s connectivity functions, which is another one of our key priorities. Georgia's strategic location adds to the strength of our connectivity function, and we use it to unlock our economic potential as much as possible. We want to strengthen this function of Georgia within the framework of the Middle Corridor”, Kobakhidze noted.

He emphasised significant infrastructure projects, including highways linking Tbilisi to Adjara and neighbouring countries, and a new Tbilisi airport to accommodate 18 million passengers.

“We are investing strongly in infrastructure for that purpose. We are constructing new highways that will span the entire country, and by the end of this year, the motorway from Tbilisi to Batumi will be completed. This highway is planned to extend to the Azerbaijani and Armenian borders, but it was originally designed with regional connectivity in mind”, he said.

“Additionally, we are investing in railway and airport infrastructure and will soon begin construction of a new international airport in Tbilisi. The current airport's capacity is around four million passengers, but the new one is designed to accommodate 18 million. The number of visitors to Georgia is increasing steadily annually, and the new airport will address this demand. We aim to establish Georgia as a hub for tourism and other forms of connectivity”, the PM continued.

Kobakhidze also highlighted the expansion of Kutaisi International airport and Anaklia ports, aiming at reinforcing Georgia’s strategic position as a regional tourism and trade hub.

“We are also expanding the capacities of the second-largest airport, Kutaisi International. We have specific projects designed for that, which were initiated last year. Seaport infrastructure is another priority for investment, and we plan to build a new deep-sea port in Anaklia, on the Black Sea. This is in cooperation with a Chinese and Singaporean consortium and other partners. The Tbilisi Dry Port has also successfully commenced operations”, he concluded.