Georgia and Saudi Arabia to Sign a New Investment Agreement

[right]Photo: BM.ge

Georgia is expanding economic cooperation with Gulf countries, and ties with Saudi Arabia are moving to a new level. A new investment agreement is planned, BM.ge reports.

Deputy Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia Gennadi Arveladze met in Riyadh with his Saudi counterpart Fari Al-Gharni. The talks focused on deepening cooperation, developing an investment partnership, and expanding private-sector participation in joint initiatives.

The two sides agreed to sign a memorandum to launch consultations on a bilateral investment treaty (BIT). Arveladze noted that Saudi Arabia is an important economic partner for Georgia and that the upcoming agreement will create conditions for further growth in capital inflows. He added that Saudi FDI into Georgia rose 263% in 2024, and another 70% in H1 2025. Following the agreement, the government expects this momentum to continue.



Earlier, in January 2024, the two countries established an intergovernmental coordination council. In September, Georgia’s Economy Minister Levan Davitashvili and Saudi Tourism Minister Ahmed Al Khateeb held talks in Tbilisi during World Tourism Day and signed a memorandum to advance cooperation in tourism, trade and the economy. In H1 2024, direct flights and arrivals from Saudi Arabia to Georgia increased by 44% year-on-year.

In January–June 2025, Saudi arrivals to Georgia rose 20.8% to 26,910, keeping the Kingdom in Georgia’s Top-15 source markets. Tourism receipts from Saudi visitors reached[/url
] $39 million, placing Saudi Arabia among the Top-10 by revenue. Saudis spent an average of $1,442 per visit—the highest among key markets (Israel $1,412; EU $1,371; Iran $986; Russia $530; Armenia $169).

In September 2025, another Gulf country—the United Arab Emirates—[url=https://internationalinvestment.biz/business/6252-investicii-iz-oaje-v-gruziju-dostigli-66-mlrd-kljuchevoj-proekt-gonio-marina.html]expanded its investments in Georgian projects to $6.6 billion during a visit to Tbilisi by UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

Two large initiatives are planned with Eagle Hills and EMAAR Group. In Tbilisi, a new mixed-use district will bring residential, hotels, retail and civic spaces, and a premium spa on the Mtkvari (Kura) riverbank. The new Krtsanisi Park district will cover ~590 hectares.

On the Gonio resort (Batumi), projects include international-brand hotels, residences, a yacht marina, and a shopping & leisure center across 260 hectares. The Ministry of Economy estimates that Gonio Marina alone could add 1.5% to GDP and create thousands of jobs. The government has also prepared a coastal development plan—extending the Batumi boulevard, creating an artificial lake, and building a new highway to Sarpi.



Mohamed Alabbar, Chairman of Eagle Hills and founder of Emaar Properties, said Georgia offers a “unique mix of stability, architectural potential and natural color,” making it attractive for long-term investment. Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze called the agreements with Eagle Hills and EMAAR Group “one of the largest investment initiatives in the country’s history,” reflecting high confidence from leading Gulf investors.

Georgia’s cooperation with the Gulf has become systemic, spanning investment, tourism, infrastructure, and trade. Saudi Arabia, the UAE and other partners are emerging as key sources of capital and technology, with joint projects creating new growth hubs in Tbilisi, Adjara, and beyond. Successful implementation of these agreements strengthens Georgia’s international standing and its role as an economic bridge between Europe, the Caucasus, and the Gulf.