Remittances from Tajikistan are increasing

As Turkmen President Serdar Berdimuhamedow, who is on his first state visit to Georgia, stated at a joint briefing with Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, the bilateral logistics portfolio includes very promising projects. According to him, in addition to the transport sector, the parties want to deepen partnership in the energy, telecommunications, textile and construction sectors.Berdimuhamedow emphasized the historical ties between the two countries and noted that the agreements signed during the current state visit also envisage the expansion of scientific and educational cooperation between universities.It is noteworthy that the high-level visit to Tbilisi coincides with the 35th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Georgia and Turkmenistan.

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During the visit, the parties signed a joint statement, as well as agreements and memorandums of understanding on cooperation in various fields.The Middle Corridor and Transport and Logistics PotentialThe meeting between the leaders focused on the importance of developing the Trans-Caspian international transport route - the Middle Corridor - and the need to attract additional cargo flows in this direction.According to the head of the Georgian government, Irakli Kobakhidze, Georgia is actively following the ongoing infrastructure and logistics projects in Turkmenistan, which have created a solid foundation for expanding regional ties.“Central Asia is a particularly interesting region for Georgia. In this context, we consider Turkmenistan as a reliable partner and friendly state. The relations established between our countries are based on many years of friendship and mutual respect,” Irakli Kobakhidze said.Increasing trade turnover and business forumTurkmen President Serdar Berdimuhamedov emphasized that Georgia is one of Turkmenistan’s main economic partners in the region and the country highly appreciates Tbilisi’s constructive position in the international arena.According to him, the Turkmenistan-Georgia business forum held within the framework of the visit showed that there is great potential for increasing bilateral trade volumes and expanding product exchanges: Political and diplomatic ties: The parties agreed to strengthen diplomatic efforts to ensure long-term partnership. International formats: Cooperation with global organizations is expanding, especially within the framework of the United Nations (UN). Diversification: The Turkmen side expresses its readiness to diversify economic ties with Georgian business. “We agreed to expand political relations, diplomatic efforts so that our ties can continue in the long term. We attach special importance to business relations and we want to diversify our economic ties,” Serdar Berdimuhamedov noted.Support for Sovereignty and Humanitarian PartnershipAt the briefing, the Georgian Prime Minister thanked the Turkmen authorities for their firm support for Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders.In addition to economic and transit directions, the leaders discussed better utilization of the potential in the tourism sector, stimulation of bilateral tourist flows, deepening people-to-people ties, and cooperation in the fields of education and culture.For information, this is the second state visit of the President of Turkmenistan to Georgia. The first such visit took place in 2015, when former President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow visited the country.

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According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in her speech, the Minister emphasized that, against the backdrop of modern security challenges, placing the issue of political terrorism on the international agenda is of particular importance.“This discussion is particularly timely, as today we are faced with complex and constantly changing challenges that directly affect our national interests, sovereignty, and security,” said Maka Bochorishvili.The Vice Prime Minister drew attention to the risks posed by radical groups. According to him, these forces often act in the name of democracy, although their real goal is to weaken state institutions.According to the Minister, Georgia is a vivid example of these challenges, where in recent years there have been numerous attempts to polarize society and discredit state systems: Coordinated campaigns: targeted actions against constitutional bodies, including the judiciary and electoral systems. Violence and sabotage: attempts by radical groups to use violent acts as a political tool. In his speech, the Foreign Minister also spoke about the role of international organizations and the need to protect their reputation. According to Bochorishvili, the use of international mechanisms or resolutions for the purpose of external pressure damages both bilateral relations and the credibility of these institutions themselves.“The use of international institutions to legitimize such actions through resolutions and other mechanisms aimed at exerting political pressure on sovereign states is no less worrying,” the minister noted.At the end of her speech, Maka Bochorishvili noted that political terrorism often manifests itself in hidden and imperceptible forms (including intimidation and political violence), which is why the fight against it should be a common task for all democratic states.According to Reuters, the aforementioned ministerial is aimed at mobilizing global support from the US against “far-left political terrorism.” The White House believes that these movements have so far remained beyond the attention of law enforcement agencies.According to the agency, more than 60 countries were represented at the meeting organized by the US State Department - some of them at the level of foreign or interior ministers, and others at the level of relatively low-ranking officials.The Trump administration has made combating far-left groups, particularly Antifa, a top priority since the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk last year. The US State Department has said that attacks by far-left actors on police, businesses and infrastructure are an ideologically driven strategy aimed at destabilizing free societies. To this end, since November last year, Washington has officially designated several European far-left and anarchist groups as terrorist organizations (FTOs).

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Khutsishvili elaborated on the vast trade and investment potential between the two countries, expressing confidence that the bilateral business forum would be instrumental in driving private sector growth.The Finance Minister highlighted the economic policies implemented by the Georgian government, which have yielded an average annual growth rate exceeding 9.3% over the past five years, with growth standing at 7.8% for the first five months of this year. He noted that Georgia’s fiscal indicators remain highly robust: by the end of 2025, the current account deficit had narrowed to an historically low 2.6%, while the fiscal deficit fell to 1.4%, keeping public debt at a low and safe level.“Our successful fiscal and economic policies have enabled us to allocate 7% to 8% of our GDP to capital expenditure over the past decade. This has allowed us to deliver critical infrastructure, including the East-West Highway, new power transmission networks, and the modernisation of our railway infrastructure. Upgrades of this scale play an indispensable role in securing the connectivity and expanding the capacity of the Middle Corridor,” the Finance Minister stated.During his speech, Khutsishvili also emphasised the significance of regional-scale infrastructure projects and outlined the prospects for developing an energy-focused Middle Corridor.“Georgia is actively working on the Black Sea Submarine Cable project. This initiative will connect the South Caucasus power grid to the European energy network via Georgia, unlocking entirely new opportunities for the region. In turn, this will offer Central Asian nations a unique avenue to transform a new, dedicated ‘Energy Middle Corridor’ into a reality through these joint connectivity projects,” Khutsishvili concluded.

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The facility will support financing for the MSME segment in Georgia, with a strong focus on agricultural, rural, and youth sub-borrowers. Furthermore, at least 30% of the total funding amount will be allocated to green projects, reinforcing TBC Group’s commitment to sustainable and inclusive growth. In this landmark transaction, FMO acted as Mandated Lead Arranger and will continue to serve as Facility Agent. The syndicate reflects a blend of newly established and enduring financing relationships, bringing together leading Gulf-based financial institutions such as Mashreq Bank, Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank (ADCB), and Commercial Bank of Dubai (CBD), together with long-standing partners Commerzbank and BlueOrchard Microfinance Fund (BOMF). The facility represents the largest senior syndicated financing arranged by FMO not only in Georgia but also the broader region to date, underscoring the depth of international investor confidence in the country's financial sector. George Tkhelidze, CEO of JSC TBC Bank, said: “We are pleased to have secured the landmark facility with six leading international financing partners under the lead arrangement of FMO. This transaction further reinforces TBC’s already robust liquidity position and supports its long-term sustainable growth strategy, with a continued strong emphasis on inclusive financing, which remains a shared objective across the syndicate. Our relationship with FMO has spanned nearly two decades and this latest benchmark transaction reflects the continuity of our long-standing partnership. We are also delighted to welcome new institutional investors into the syndicate, which provides a strong platform for further collaboration going forward. We would like to sincerely thank FMO for arranging this transaction, as well as all syndicate members for their trust and valuable contribution. We look forward to further strengthening our cooperation in the future. Huib-Jan de Ruijter, Co-Chief Investment Officer at FMO, said: “We are proud to have led this landmark transaction for TBC Bank, reflecting the strength of our long-standing partnership and continued confidence in Georgia’s financial sector. This facility demonstrates our commitment to mobilizing private capital for development, bringing together a diverse group of international investors. The successful syndication, including strong participation from Gulf-based institutions despite a complex geopolitical environment, highlights the resilience of high-quality opportunities in the region. By supporting MSMEs, alongside dedicated financing for green projects and underserved segments such as rural and youth entrepreneurs, the facility will contribute to inclusive and sustainable growth in Georgia.

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According to Moldovan publication point.md, the project has reached this phase following the signing of a memorandum of understanding between Transelectrica and the Georgian State Electrosystem (GSE).The high-voltage submarine cable, which will run along the bottom of the Black Sea, will provide electricity transmission between the two countries, effectively opening a new route for electricity supply to the European Union.“One of the most important energy projects in the region is taking shape. Following the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding, the partnership is entering the stage of technical preparation, which is necessary to create the infrastructure for the energy connection between Romania and Georgia,” Transelectrica said in a statement.What does the project mean for Romania and what are its parameters?For Romania, the implementation of this project means closer integration into the European energy system, access to new sources of electricity, increased energy security, the ability to integrate more renewable energy, and a strengthening of the country’s role in Europe’s energy infrastructure.The project involves the construction of a high-voltage transmission line and a digital connection between the Georgian city of Anaklia and the Romanian city of Constanta. Total length: 1,155 kilometers (of which 1,115 km will run on the Black Sea bed and 40 km on land). Capacity: The planned capacity of the line is 1,300 MW. Transelectrica notes that the project is a significant step towards the development of modern energy infrastructure and strengthening international cooperation.

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During the meeting, the project’s legal consultant and mediator presented potential organizational and membership fee models, drawing on examples from other countries and local associations. By the end of the meeting, the participants agreed on the best model to ensure the sustainable development of the meat sector.The Georgian Meat Producers' Association aims to facilitate communication between farmers, consumers, state agencies, and international or local partners, while prioritizing the best interests of sector representatives and adhering to international standards. Ultimately, this will contribute to food safety, product traceability, and the sustainable development of the meat sector in the country. The Association actively cooperates with state and international organizations to help refine sector policies and legislation. Its priority is to increase access to financial instruments, investment projects, and various support programs for sector representatives."Meat suppliers represent different sub-sectors and are often competitors, yet they all share a common goal: supplying retail chains with safe products that meet consumer demands. The sector is quite fragmented, which is why our objective is to consolidate them around their shared interests. This will help them find common ground, develop action plans, and focus on addressing existing challenges. Furthermore, the presence of the Association will assist the government in identifying issues within the meat sector and responding to them efficiently. In establishing this Association, we drew upon leading European Union practices, which we believe will significantly support the organization’s future operations and development," said Mikheil Sokhadze, FAO Project Manager.The NAITS project is implemented by the FAO in cooperation with the National Food Agency, with financial support from the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and the Austrian Development Agency (ADA), as part of International Partnerships Austria. 

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According to the Presidential Administration, Kavelashvili stated that Berdimuhamedow’s first state visit to Georgia marks an important milestone in the development of bilateral relations and serves as a clear indication of strengthened high-level political dialogue between the two countries.During the meeting, the sides discussed prospects for expanding cooperation between Georgia and Turkmenistan. Particular attention was paid to deepening trade and economic ties, promoting investments, and enhancing cooperation in the fields of energy, transport, and logistics, as well as making more effective use of the strategic potential of the Middle Corridor.“The parties noted that Georgia, as a key link connecting Europe and Asia, is interested in further developing transit connections, including through the future opportunities offered by the Black Sea ports and the Anaklia Deep Sea Port,” the Presidential Administration said.The presidents also discussed strengthening cooperation in the fields of culture, education, and science. The importance of people-to-people contacts, the development of youth and academic exchange programs, and support for joint cultural initiatives were highlighted.According to the Presidential Administration, Mikheil Kavelashvili thanked President Serdar Berdimuhamedow for Turkmenistan’s support for Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.The official visit of President Berdimuhamedow to Georgia began today. A face-to-face meeting between Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze and Berdimuhamedow, as well as bilateral meetings with Georgian ministers, are scheduled for tomorrow.

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