AGP Executive Report

Regional diplomacy: Armenia and Azerbaijan confirmed an upcoming foreign-ministers meeting, with Baku stressing constitutional changes tied to the 1990 declaration and the peace-track work on border delimitation starting from the Armenia-Azerbaijan-Georgia intersection. Georgia courts & business climate: Tbilisi’s appellate court upheld the detention of entrepreneur/animal rights activist Tamaz Elizbarashvili, keeping him in custody after a threats-related case. South Caucasus connectivity: Former Armenia Security Council secretary Armen Grigoryan joined PMCG as a senior adviser and is involved in assessing TRIPP, a US-backed connectivity project linking Azerbaijan with Nakhichevan via Armenia’s Syunik. Tourism & payments: Visa released its “Visa Visitor Dynamics” study for Armenia, showing international visitors up 55% (2024-2026) and spending concentrated in Yerevan, with implications for diversifying destinations and reducing seasonality. Education & competitiveness: OECD PISA results flagged Armenia’s low student performance in math/science/reading versus Georgia, Azerbaijan and Turkey, framing it as a long-term economic security issue. Aviation investment: A $15m “aviation village” opened in Kachreti, combining an airfield, aviation school, service center and private hangar villas, with state co-financing. Retail expansion: PSP opened its third pharmacy in Tbilisi under a new concept, adding diagnostic and interactive product features.

Court Ruling: Tbilisi Court of Appeals left businessman Tamaz Elizbarashvili in custody after declaring the defense complaint inadmissible, keeping the preventive measure in place as prosecutors accuse him of threats tied to a restaurant dispute and a follow-up video message. Trade & Finance: Georgia’s foreign trade turnover rose 5.8% in Jan–Jun 2026 to $12.93bn, with the EU the biggest partner (20.1%), followed by Turkey, Russia, China and the US; exports jumped 20% while imports edged up 0.7%. Aviation & Sanctions: US-sanctioned Iranian Sepehran Airlines (and other sanctioned carriers) continued flights to Tbilisi and Batumi on Sept. 9, after OFAC added multiple Iranian aviation firms to its sanctions list. Infrastructure & Logistics: Middle Corridor stakeholders urged faster, more transparent operations, with calls for a single transit operator and a joint IT platform across customs in Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan and Georgia to tackle rail, container and coordination bottlenecks. Tourism & Cities: Mestia was named by Intrepid Travel among 2027 “destinations to watch,” citing improved access and tourism plans that boost local trade. Economy Watch: PM Irakli Kobakhidze said foreign exchange reserves hit a record $8.14bn in August, up 56.4% year-on-year, with gold now over 14% of reserves. Business & Justice Abroad: A Georgian national, Erekle Gugava, was charged in the US over a $1.3bn Medicare healthcare fraud and money-laundering scheme. Local Discovery: Roadworks on Rustaveli Avenue uncovered a 10th–11th century pottery workshop cache, with findings set for museum review and 3D scanning.

FX & Reserves: Georgia’s foreign exchange reserves hit a record $8.14bn in August, up 56.4% year-on-year, with the PM citing National Bank purchases and reserve diversification including gold. Growth & Corruption: Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze said the economy grew 8% in July and 7.9% for the first seven months, linking momentum to anti-corruption efforts at top levels. Legal & Civil Society: The Council of Europe human rights commissioner intervened in Georgia’s FARA-style case, urging a safe environment for civil society and warning the law’s impact on NGOs and media. Energy/Trade Links: Georgia’s economy minister discussed development of the Tbilisi dry port with Abu Dhabi Ports Group, while Georgia also expects higher almond harvest around 4,500 tonnes in 2026. Regional Business & Transport: Azerbaijan is set to invest $45.3m in Georgia in the first half of the year, and rail/transport capacity upgrades along the Middle Corridor were highlighted. Maritime & Infrastructure: Batumi hosted the Georgian International Maritime Forum 2026, alongside tram-line contract updates in Tbilisi. Agriculture Skills: ABAC and UGA’s veterinary college signed an agreement to tackle rural veterinary shortages via a new incentive program.

Legal & Civil Society: GYLA says the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights has filed a third-party submission to the Strasbourg Court in the “FARA-style” case, arguing Georgia’s “Foreign Agents” law restricts civil society and clashes with European Convention standards. Anti-Corruption / Justice: Georgia’s Prosecutor’s Office has charged two people, including former Defence Minister Juansher Burchuladze, over alleged taking of a particularly large bribe connected to secret Defence Ministry procurement for medical equipment. Regional Trade & Transport: Azerbaijan Railways is pushing backhaul freight to boost Middle Corridor volumes, while Azerbaijan’s road carriers group highlights digitalisation progress including electronic permit exchanges and e-TIR use. Investment Flows: Azerbaijan invested $45.3m in Georgia in the first half of 2026, down 22.5% year-on-year, with China, the UK and the UAE the top sources. Energy & Industry: Georgia marked the start of a Chinese-invested Imereti wind power project, and a $15m Ambassador Aviation Village opened in Kakheti to support tourism and pilot training. Education & Human Capital: Georgia improved across all key PISA 2025 areas, ranking first for gains in natural sciences and reducing the share of low-achieving students. Infrastructure / Urban Mobility: Tbilisi City Hall signed a contract for a new tram line design and construction, with work tied to a GEL 287.6m Didi Dighomi–Didube segment.

Tbilisi Real Estate: Georgia’s capital saw a 24% jump in residential sales volume in July 2026, with 4,409 apartments sold and the first seven months reaching $2.37bn in turnover, while construction costs rose 3%. Transport & Energy Diplomacy: Armenia and Georgia met in Batumi to push more direct air routes and higher flight frequencies, alongside continued freight logistics and strategic energy cooperation. UN Cartography Politics: The UN General Assembly backed the “Correct the Map” push for more accurate world maps, endorsing the Equal Earth projection; Georgia abstained while the U.S. voted against, keeping the Mercator debate alive in education and public institutions. Regional Aviation/Infrastructure: Georgia’s PM reiterated a 10-year plan to expand rail, ports and airports, as the Middle Corridor gains momentum. Legal/Geopolitics: Former Georgian prosecutor Otar Partskhaladze, now in Russia, announced an international volunteer unit “Georgievsky” to fight in Ukraine, according to TASS. Local Business & Jobs: Valdosta State University reported $412.5m in economic impact and 3,472 jobs from FY2025, underscoring how universities drive regional economies.

Transport & Logistics Push: Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze says Georgia wants to supercharge the Middle Corridor, with plans to double rail capacity, cut cargo transit times by half, double port capacity and triple airport capacity, alongside a modernization drive that includes over 1 bln lari in rail spending this year and an East-West highway project reported at 75% completion. Port Investment: Economy Minister Mariam Kvrivishvili says the state will invest $700m in the Anaklia Deep Sea Port under a “landlord model,” targeting operations in 2029 with initial capacity of at least 600,000 TEU and about 10m tons of dry cargo. Energy & Sanctions Risk: Kulevi’s Black Sea Petroleum says it has fully shifted off Russian crude, running only on non-Russian oil since Aug. 23 and bringing its first Libyan shipment on Aug. 30 as it navigates EU sanctions pressure. UN Cartography & Trade Narrative: The UN General Assembly adopted the “Correct the Map” resolution to encourage equal-area projections like Equal Earth; Georgia abstained while the US voted against, with supporters arguing fairer maps better reflect Africa’s economic weight. Waste & Industry in Batumi: A Korean electronics firm plans to store and process electronic and hazardous waste in Batumi, using specialized vehicles for nationwide collection. Legal/Corporate Dispute: Ukraine’s ARMA moves to appoint independent management for IDS Ukraine amid a dispute tied to sanctioned Russian investors, with Georgia listed among minority shareholders.

Legal Accountability: The Hind Rajab Foundation filed a criminal complaint in Georgia against Israeli contractor Sali Israel Hazot, alleging war crimes and genocide tied to demolition work in Gaza, with Hazot reportedly based in Batumi. Public Order & Rights: In Tbilisi, protesters continued daily demonstrations on Rustaveli Avenue, calling for Eurointegration and the release of political prisoners, while an animal-rights action also demanded an end to alleged mass killing of stray dogs and the release of activist Tamaz Elizbarashvili. Diplomacy & Conflict: An opinion piece warns that Georgian-Abkhaz dialogue is stuck in a “paradigm-less” peace policy, citing mistrust and drift on the Georgian side. Business & Trade Links: A business delegation from the International Business Council (MDS) met Georgian institutions to discuss trade, investment, entrepreneurship support, and B2B cooperation. Energy & Industry Context: Separate coverage highlights SOCAR’s push toward downstream processing and higher-value energy production, reflecting a broader regional shift beyond raw exports. International Policy: The UN General Assembly backed a resolution promoting equal-area world maps to better reflect Africa’s size, with Georgia among abstainers.

Georgia–Kyrgyzstan Business Links: The International Business Council (MDS) visited Georgia to deepen trade, investment and entrepreneurship ties, holding talks with GEDC, the GCCI, EBA Georgia, the EU-Georgia Business Council and AmCham Georgia, with a focus on B2B missions and support for companies entering Kyrgyzstan and Georgia markets. Energy & Trade Ties in the Region: A report on Azerbaijani diesel and gasoline shipments to Armenia highlights how lower rail transport costs are pressuring fuel prices, while also drawing attention to the political angle of cross-border supplies. UN World Map Vote: The UN General Assembly backed a “Correct the Map” resolution promoting equal-area projections that make Africa appear larger, with the US voting against and Georgia abstaining—an issue now spilling into education materials and public debate. Protests in Tbilisi: Euro-integration supporters continued daily demonstrations, accusing the “Georgian Dream” leadership of failing to protect national interests and calling for political prisoners’ release. Health & Social Policy: Georgia’s US and local agencies ran CBRN threat response drills in Batumi, underscoring preparedness cooperation. Sports & Talent: Transfer rumors point to a potential Arsenal move for 17-year-old Georgian midfielder Andria Bartishvili, with a medical reportedly completed ahead of a next-summer contract.

UN Cartography Shift: The UN General Assembly backed Togo’s “Correct the Map” push, voting 164-1 to encourage use of equal-area projections like Equal Earth instead of Mercator, after the U.S. cast the lone no and Georgia abstained; the resolution is non-binding and doesn’t ban Mercator, but it could affect how Africa’s size is taught and presented worldwide. Protests in Tbilisi: Euro-integration supporters kept up daily marches, again criticizing “Georgian Dream” and calling for political prisoners’ release and power transfer to the people, with Salome Zourabichvili joining. Energy Security Drills: Georgia’s State Security Service and the U.S. DTRA ran “NEXUS Georgia 2026” in Batumi, testing responses to chemical and biological threats and planning further training in Mtskheta. Russia-Georgia Economic Signals: A Russian Security Council deputy said Moscow sees room for deeper interregional cooperation with Georgia, moving from trade toward joint production chains. Local Business & Tourism: Batumi’s mayor met Caspian Energy Club leaders to discuss infrastructure, mobility, and new business partnerships.

UN Vote on Maps: The UN General Assembly backed a new world map that uses equal-area projections to show Africa in more accurate proportions, passing “Correct the Map” with 164 votes in favor; the US voted against and Georgia abstained, urging schools, governments and tech firms to move from the Mercator projection to Equal Earth. Batumi Business Outreach: Batumi’s mayor met the Caspian Energy Club chairman to discuss infrastructure and new trade and business partnerships, with the city highlighting economic diversification and fresh cooperation ideas. Regional Gas Links: North Macedonia and Serbia formally joined the Vertical Gas Corridor, aiming to deepen access to southern supply routes via Greece and LNG options. Georgia Legal/Detention: Tbilisi courts ordered extradition of Mikhail Timofeev to Russia, while animal rights activist Tamaz Elizbarashvili was arrested and charged over alleged threats, with his defense disputing the claims. Energy Investment: Hyundai Steel broke ground on a $5.8b electric-arc furnace mill in Louisiana, targeting 2.7m tons of automotive steel sheets annually from 2029.

Georgia–Russia Legal Fallout: Tbilisi City Court ordered the extradition of Mikhail Timofeev to Russia, rejecting his asylum bid; the ruling can be appealed within seven days. Major Fraud Case: A Georgian national, Erekle Gugava, was charged in the U.S. over alleged laundering tied to a $1.3bn healthcare fraud scheme linked to a Russian criminal organization. Court Developments in Georgia: Businessman and animal rights activist Tamaz Elizbarashvili was remanded in pre-trial detention over alleged threats; prosecutors said charges could be upgraded if weapons offenses are supported. Transport & Urban Business: CRRC unveiled Tbilisi’s first four-car metro trainset for a 111-car order; delivery is due late this year with service planned next year. Infrastructure & Local Economy: Tbilisi City Hall approved removing recreational zoning for an Ivanishvili-linked project on the Mtkvari riverbank near Dry Bridge, paving the way for a café/restaurant. Public Health: Georgia’s Health Ministry said Duchenne drug givinostat will arrive in Tbilisi early next week. Trade & Regional Industry: Armenia EXPO 2026 opened in Yerevan with participation from Georgia and other countries, focusing on modern, export-oriented industry.

Energy & Sanctions: Georgia’s Kulevi refinery stopped processing Russian-origin crude and fully switched to non-Russian feedstock after EU sanctions pressure, while also receiving its first Libyan crude shipment. Fuel Supply & Retail: SOCAR Georgia Petroleum imported its first EN 228 petrol batch from Italiana Petroli (SOCAR Group), a move aimed at diversifying supply and keeping European fuel standards. Hospitality & Investment: PASHA Real Estate Group and Marriott signed a multi-property deal for new Ritz-Carlton and Le Méridien projects in Azerbaijan and Tbilisi, signaling continued regional expansion. Transport & Environment: Georgia’s roadside vehicle emission checks since Sept 2023 found 20,727 violations across Tbilisi, Batumi, Kutaisi and Rustavi, with passenger cars and minibuses leading breaches. Business Climate: Georgia reported another strong year of business investment and job growth, with $35.2bn in project investments and most expansions outside metro Atlanta. Urban Economy Data: Geostat says 79.4% of enterprises’ turnover and 63.6% of output were concentrated in Tbilisi in Q2. Regional Trade: Armenia exported about 30,000 tons of fruits and vegetables to new markets after Russian restrictions, with Georgia receiving limited fish shipments after negotiations. Legal/Business Risk: Prosecutor’s Office released CCTV and charged Tbilisi businessman/animal rights activist Tamaz Elizbarashvili over alleged threats, adding uncertainty for his business activities.

Anaklia Port Push: Georgia’s Deputy Economy Minister Tamar Ioseliani says dredging and construction at the Anaklia deep-sea port are on schedule, with the project expected to reach “operational mode” by 2029. Investment Boom: Georgia reported another record year for business expansions and jobs, with $35.2bn in project investments in the fiscal year to June 30 and foreign firms accounting for $7.8bn of that total. Middle Corridor Trade: An Austrian-Kazakh connectivity roundtable in Alpbach focused on turning Middle Corridor plans into workable logistics, with the Trans-Caspian route linking Kazakhstan to the Black Sea via Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey. Energy & Industry: Black Sea Petroleum says Georgia’s Kulevi refinery has fully switched to non-Russian crude, citing EU sanctions pressure and a completed transition away from Russian feedstock. Regional Politics & Business Climate: Armenia rejected Russia’s extradition request for opposition journalist Ilya Danilov, while Armenia’s PM Nikol Pashinyan said the first Armenia-to-Azerbaijan goods export deal is already concluded, pending companies’ internal procedures.

Tbilisi Business & Compliance: Georgia’s National Food Agency flagged critical non-compliances at a Tbilisi meat processing enterprise, LLC Welldone Meat Factory, raising fresh questions about food safety enforcement. City Infrastructure: Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze said Mtatsminda district has started rehabilitation of Aleksandre Chavchavadze Street, while large-scale preventive works were carried out in the Vere River bed to protect flow capacity; on Rustaveli Avenue, the former Communications Ministry building will keep its original look as reconstruction proceeds, with Kaladze saying there’s no basis to expect delays beyond an end-November finish. Education Costs: Numbeo data cited by BPN.ge puts Georgia’s average private preschool cost at 821 GEL, with private kindergarten monthly fees ranging 500–1,250 GEL and private school annual tuition averaging 16,693 GEL. Trade & Regional Business: In Yerevan, Armenia’s industrialists’ union head Arsen Ghazaryan said Turkish firms won’t displace Armenian businesses, and called the Armenian-Turkish border opening a potential boost for trade, investment, tourism and construction; a two-day Armenian-Turkish forum opened with EU support highlighted by the EU delegation head. Customs & Security Drills: Georgia’s customs joined NEXUS Georgia 2026 in Batumi, running field-practical chemical and biological threat response scenarios with US DTRA support. Crypto Real Estate: Georgian bitcoin financier Giorgi “George” Bachiashvili reportedly sold a Miami mansion for $51.5m, after a legal saga and a recent release from prison.

Anaklia Port Blueprint: Georgia is moving Anaklia’s deep-sea port to a multi-investor model, reducing reliance on China while keeping the project positioned as a key Middle Corridor gateway. Energy Security: Georgia’s Kulevi refinery has fully switched off Russian crude and is now processing non-Russian supplies under an EU sanctions deadline. CBRN Cooperation: The State Security Service and the U.S. DTRA ran the “NEXUS Georgia 2026” chemical and biological field exercise in Batumi, with more drills planned for September 8. Agribusiness Push: Environment and Agriculture Minister Davit Songulashvili toured poultry, greenhouse, wheat-breeding, and food-processing projects in Kvemo Kartli and Mtskheta-Mtianeti, highlighting state agrocredit and value-added production to cut import dependence. Legal & Finance: A Georgia federal court case revives claims of “pay to play” in a cannabis licensing dispute, while separate reporting notes a Georgian Bitcoin financier’s Miami mansion sale for $51.5m amid a legal saga. Local Economy: A campaign proposal in Georgia would let cities and counties opt out of sales tax on groceries to lower household costs.

Legal & Rights: Georgian prosecutors opened a case over alleged violence against lawyer Ia Siranashvili by Interior Ministry employees, following the detention of animal rights activist and businessman Tamaz Elizbarashvili and claims she was kicked during a police search. Business & Economy: Georgia’s State Security Service and the US DTRA ran the NEXUS Georgia 2026 field exercise in Batumi to test chemical and biological threat response across multiple agencies, with more drills planned in Mtskheta. Public Trust & Info Integrity: Myth Detector says it found 434 inauthentic, likely AI-generated government-linked profiles this year, aimed at simulating support for official positions and pushing narratives around Georgia-Russia relations. Regional Trade & Infrastructure: The ADB approved a $400m BUILD facility to modernize CAREC border rail/road crossings, targeting faster procedures and lower logistics costs—Georgia included in the program. Transport & Tourism: Wingie highlights autumn travel demand for “nearby city breaks” including Tbilisi and Baku, plus shorter micro-cations and nature-focused trips.