UAE State Minister hails opening of Tbilisi Dry Port as a major step in strengthening East-West trade corridor
Ahmed Al Sayegh
Photo: Georgian Government
Ahmed Al Sayegh, the State Minister of the United Arab Emirates, on Tuesday said the newly inaugurated Tbilisi Dry Port was poised to significantly enhance trade not only with Georgia and Central Asia but also to strengthen commercial connectivity along the East-West corridor, leading to a substantial increase in overall trade volume.
In his address at the opening ceremony of the Tbilisi Dry Port, Sayegh noted that the Dry Port project was an example of a successful partnership between the United Arab Emirates and Georgia.
“We are facilitating the movement of industrial and consumer goods from Asia - including China and Central Asia - towards Europe and vice versa. This effort is guided by the leadership of both countries. Our deepening strategic and global partnership with Georgia reflects shared visions, common values, and a mutual spirit of building a sustainable and beneficial trade relationship. It is a partnership rooted in peace, progress, and long-term stability”, the State Minister said.
“The Tbilisi Dry Port is a combination of the strong partnership and agreement that we signed in Georgia - Memorandum of Understanding - and aims to double trade from $480 million to $1.5 billion over the next five years. Based on our cooperation, this trade will be based on special tariffs, 95 percent of goods will be transported through this port and Georgia’s trade partnership with the whole world will be strengthened”, he continued.
He further added that the investment of Abu Dhabi Ports Group in the port indicated growing cooperation with Georgia.
Sayegh expressed the United Arab Emirates' expectations for further investments in Georgia and noted “we are doing everything we can to find new opportunities together with the Georgian Government to implement these investments”.
“Georgia, in addition to being a country with many investment opportunities, is also a source of great talent, which allows us to make our cooperation even more successful. Once again, many thanks to the Georgian Government for its support and assistance to investors from the United Arab Emirates”, he concluded.
All News
06 May 2026, 21:19
Politics
Ukraine and Georgia agree to continue dialogue in Foreign Ministers’ call
On the initiative of the Ukrainian side, a phone call took place today between Georgia’s minister of foreign affairs Maka Botchorishvili and the top Ukrainian diplomat Andrii Sybiha.
06 May 2026, 21:00
Politics
Georgian Parliament Speaker: some EU bureaucrats think Georgia can be bypassed in linking Europe and Asia
Georgian Parliament speaker Shalva Papuashvili on Wednesday criticised what he described as misconceptions among some European Union officials regarding Georgia’s geopolitical and logistical role in linking Europe and Asia.
06 May 2026, 20:39
Politics
Georgia’s strategic importance in Europe-Asia corridor cannot be ignored, says Georgian Parliament Vice Speaker
Nino Tsilosani, the vice speaker of the Parliament of Georgia, on Wednesday discussed the diverging paths of the European Union’s economic interests and its current political behavior model.
06 May 2026, 20:29
Politics
Georgian Parliament Speaker slams European Parliament as “reincarnation” of Soviet-era Congress of People’s Deputies
Georgian Parliament speaker Shalva Papuashvili on Wednesday sharply criticised the European Parliament, describing it as a “reincarnation” of the Soviet-era Congress of People’s Deputies.
06 May 2026, 17:38
Politics
“Banning media means banning democracy”: MEP Thierry Mariani questions media sanctions in response to Rasa Juknevičienė resolution
Democracy requires freedom of the press, even when that press does not share the views of the parliamentary majority, said on Wednesday Thierry Mariani, a member of the European Parliament.
06 May 2026, 17:00
Politics
MEP András László slams media sanctions debate as “wrong”
Hungarian MEP András László has criticised what he describes as a practice within the European Parliament of dismissing opinions and facts it disagrees with. Speaking to Imedi TV, László commented on a report by the European Parliament’s foreign affairs committee and rejected discussions about sanctioning media outlets.
06 May 2026, 15:02
Economy
Jan De Nul N.V. Project Director says Anaklia Port works progress on schedule
Marine infrastructure development has officially commenced at Anaklia Port, with preparations currently underway for the construction of a breakwater, according to Eric Bates, the project director at Jan De Nul N.V..
06 May 2026, 14:01
Economy
Georgian Economy Minister highlights local jobs focus in Anaklia Deep Sea Port construction
Mariam Kvrivishvili, the minister of economy and sustainable development of Georgia, on Wednesday said that the construction of the Anaklia deep sea port is placing a heavy emphasis on local employment, while ensuring high-level execution through the involvement of world-class experts and international firms.
06 May 2026, 12:39
Culture
Kanye West to perform at Dinamo Arena in Tbilisi as part of Starring Georgia 2026
As part of the Starring Georgia 2026 season, global music icon Kanye West is set to perform live in Tbilisi. The highly anticipated show will take place on June 12 at Dinamo Arena, bringing one of the most influential artists of the 21st century to the Georgian capital.
06 May 2026, 12:36
Economy
Georgian Economy Minister highlights strategic importance of Anaklia Port as construction starts
Construction of the strategically important Anaklia deep sea port has officially begun, marking a historic step for the country’s economic development, said on Wednesday Mariam Kvrivishvili, the minister of economy and sustainable development of Georgia, during her visit to Anaklia, where she inspected ongoing works at the port site.
06 May 2026, 11:54
Politics
Georgian Parliament official rejects European Parliament report as “blatant falsehood”
Davit Matikashvili, the chair of the parliamentary committee on procedural issues and rules, on Thursday sharply criticised a report on Georgia prepared by the European Parliament, calling its contents “blatant falsehood” that “cannot withstand any criticism”.
06 May 2026, 11:34
Foreign policy
First Deputy FM Lasha Darsalia underscores Georgia’s key role in advancing South Caucasus cooperation
Lasha Darsalia, the first deputy foreign minister of Georgia, on Tuesday participated in a high-level panel discussion during the Yerevan Dialogue, where regional leaders and experts assessed the future of the South Caucasus.
05 May 2026, 21:16
Foreign policy
Georgia’s Foreign Ministry slams European Parliament report as “detached from reality” and “misleading”
The ministry of foreign affairs of Georgia on Tuesday issued a press statement sharply criticising a European Parliament report on Georgia, saying it is “completely detached from reality” and based on “intentional distortion of facts, absurd accusations, and manipulation of information”.
05 May 2026, 20:42
Politics
Georgian PM says opposition’s actions contribute to ruling party’s strengthening
Georgian prime minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Tuesday said that the opposition was in a “difficult situation” and argued that its actions were ultimately contributing to the further strengthening of the ruling Georgian Dream party.
05 May 2026, 20:39
Politics
Georgian PM says talks with Zelenskyy were friendly, focused on future
Georgian prime minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Tuesday said his meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was conducted in a “friendly spirit” by both sides and was largely focused on the future, despite ongoing issues remaining unresolved.
05 May 2026, 20:35
Politics
Georgian PM says “European bureaucracy” has moved away from European values
Georgian prime minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Tuesday said that if anyone has distanced themselves from Europe, it is the European bureaucracy itself.
05 May 2026, 20:26
Foreign policy
Georgian PM offers condolences after deadly fireworks factory explosion in China
Georgian prime minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Tuesday offered his condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in a tragic explosion at a fireworks factory in China.
05 May 2026, 20:14
Politics
Georgian Parliament official says Tbilisi remains ready to reset ties with Ukraine, urges Kyiv to take first step
Mariam Lashkhi, the chair of the Georgian Parliament’s education, science, and youth affairs committee, on Tuesday said that while the Georgian government remains open to a “reset” in relations with Ukraine, the onus is on Kyiv to take the first step.
05 May 2026, 20:08
Politics
Georgia’s ruling party official signals openness to better ties if Ukraine administration revises its approach to Georgia
Levan Machavariani, the first deputy chair of the ruling Georgian Dream party faction in the legislative body, on Tuesday said that Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and his administration have made “numerous mistakes” in their approach toward Georgia, but relations can still be repaired if those missteps are acknowledged.
05 May 2026, 17:02
Politics
Georgian Parliament Speaker: Brussels and foreign funding killing free media in Georgia
Georgian Parliament speaker Shalva Papuashvili on Tuesday sharply criticised a draft report supported by the European Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee, which includes a proposal to sanction three Georgian television channels.