Chinese FDI reaches $236M in first half of 2026 - Georgian PM
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze said on Wednesday that foreign direct investment from China totaled $236 million in the first half of the year.
In his remarks, Kobakhidze noted that negotiations on free trade agreements with South Korea, Serbia and the Gulf Cooperation Council were in an active phase.
“Expanding our economic relations with China is of great importance. The free trade agreement has been expanded, and this is already yielding concrete, tangible results. These are not merely signed documents. During the first eight months of this year, from January to August, exports of Georgian products to China increased by 177%. The economic cooperation agreements we conclude produce concrete outcomes, and this figure is a clear illustration of that”, the Prime Minister said.
“The introduction of direct flights was also highly significant. There are now 14 flights per week between Georgia and China, which is of great importance to us, including from an economic perspective, as investment from China is rising. In the first half of this year, China took the top spot, with foreign direct investment from China totaling $236 million, placing it first in this regard. We have also been working very actively with Central Asia and have achieved significant, tangible results. Furthermore, negotiations on free trade agreements with South Korea, Serbia and the Gulf Cooperation Council are currently in an active phase”, he continued.
As the Government head noted, this process had given Georgia access to a market of 120 million people, which he described as strategically important.
“These trends enable us to replenish foreign currency reserves, reduce external debt and the current account deficit year by year, and, in general, maintain and ensure sound fiscal indicators. We owe thanks to our economic team for all of this, and I would like to extend special thanks to Economy Minister Mariam Kvrivishvili”, Kobakhidze concluded.
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Market survey announced for Anaklia Port 18 km railway link - Georgian Railway Director
08.10.2026.17:54
“The railway line serving the Anaklia Deep Sea Port involves the construction of a total of 18 km of entirely new railway infrastructure,” said Lasha Abashidze, Director General of Georgian Railway.
According to Abashidze, the World Bank will finance the project.
“A market survey has already been announced for the railway link to the Anaklia Deep Sea Port. This is a rather important project for Georgian Railway and involves building an 18-km section of entirely new railway infrastructure that will connect the Anaklia Port to our existing main line. The project will be financed with World Bank support, and all procurement procedures will also be carried out with World Bank support,” Lasha Abashidze said.
Abashidze also elaborated on Georgian Railway’s rolling stock renewal.
“We have already begun renewing the rolling stock at Georgian Railway. This covers both freight wagons and passenger trains,” he said.
The Director General noted that 200 new freight wagons have already been purchased, around 60 of which have arrived in Georgia, with all 200 due to arrive by the end of the year.
“It is important to note that we made this purchase directly from the manufacturer, without the involvement of any intermediary companies, so to speak. In general, I believe it is right that Georgian Railway should carry out such important projects and buy directly from the manufacturing plants,” the head of Georgian Railway said.
On passenger transport, Abashidze stated that Georgian Railway is expected to add ten new trains to its fleet shortly. In addition, five passenger trains are already undergoing major overhaul and modernisation. As a result, he said, Georgian Railway will operate its passenger services entirely with new, modern trains.
“Recently, we have carried out quite significant optimisation at the railway, both in operations and in procurement. That is precisely what has enabled us to launch and fund these projects. These savings will go entirely to Georgian Railway and to the projects we have already started,” the Director General of Georgian Railway said.
Anaklia Deep Sea Port project of strategic importance for Georgia, region - Georgian Deputy Economy Minister
08.10.2026.17:46
Georgia’s total international reserves hit a historic maximum at USD 8.17 billion - NBG
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