Pavel Durov names Georgia a promising destination for business and investment

NewsGeorgia

Telegram founder Pavel Durov visited Georgia, including Tbilisi and Batumi, at the end of June, where he met with Georgian officials and explored the opportunities of the country’s IT sector. Following the trip, he praised Georgia’s business potential, highlighting economic growth, favorable conditions for international companies and the development of the technology sector.

Meeting with Georgian officials

In Tbilisi, Pavel Durov met with Vako Turnava, a member of parliament from the ruling Georgian Dream party. The lawmaker published a photo from the meeting. According to Turnava, he introduced the Telegram founder to the investment potential of Georgia’s IT sector and spoke about opportunities for developing technology businesses in the country.

“I welcome Pavel Durov in Tbilisi and introduce him to the investment potential of Georgia’s IT sector,” Vako Turnava said in a comment to Business Insider Georgia.

Before entering politics in 2024, Turnava was involved in technology entrepreneurship. The companies he founded operate in the fields of electronic payments and financial technologies. The meeting was also attended by Georgian Dream Secretary General and Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze.

The purpose of Durov’s trip was not disclosed. Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze said that the Telegram founder’s visit was private.

“Mr. Durov is a businessman. He cannot make an official visit. We welcome any successful entrepreneur’s visit to Georgia,” the prime minister said.

Georgian TV channel TV Pirveli suggested that the trip could have been related to cryptocurrency business and the “inflow of black money from Russia.” However, no evidence supporting this claim was provided.

Durov appeared in Batumi

After the meeting in Tbilisi, Pavel Durov traveled to Batumi, where he was seen on the city’s waterfront and at one of the local restaurants, “Acropolis.” The visit to Batumi became the second publicly known part of the Telegram founder’s trip. Unlike the meeting in the capital, no official information was provided about any negotiations or business events involving the entrepreneur in the city.

Durov’s appearance attracted considerable attention from Batumi residents and visitors. According to eyewitnesses, he spoke with passers-by and took photos with everyone who approached him with such a request.

The entrepreneur’s visit to Georgia was private and had no official status, but it attracted attention due to interest in the country’s technology sector and opportunities for international business.

Durov highlights Georgia’s business potential

After the trip, Pavel Durov publicly shared his impressions of Georgia for the first time, highlighting not only the country’s tourism appeal but also its opportunities for business development.

The Telegram founder wrote that he was “very impressed with Georgia,” specifically mentioning the hospitality of its people, ancient culture, local cuisine and landscapes. At the same time, he focused primarily on the country’s economy and conditions for international companies.

Durov noted that thanks to government policies aimed at supporting business, Georgia is becoming a major business hub. He said the country’s economy had doubled over five years and continues to grow by around 8% annually.

The entrepreneur also highlighted tax conditions for technology companies. He said that international IT companies in Georgia pay 0% corporate tax and 5% tax on dividends and salaries. Durov called Georgia an “underrated” place for travel and business and said he plans to return to the country soon.

Georgia strengthens its position

International Investment analysts note that Pavel Durov’s visit is another example of growing interest from the global technology industry in Georgia. Although the purpose of the Telegram founder’s trip was not officially disclosed, the visit highlighted the opportunities of the country’s IT sector and its investment potential.

Experts also identify high-end hotel real estate as one of the most promising investment areas in Georgia. The sector is still developing and has significant potential due to the growth of tourism, the expansion of international hotel brands and increasing interest from foreign investors.

The development of the technology sector, improvements in the business environment and inflows of foreign capital are gradually strengthening Georgia’s position as a destination for international business. The country is becoming attractive not only for tourists but also for entrepreneurs looking to launch projects and invest in the region.