AGP Executive Report

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.

Arthouse & Skills: CICAE’s 2026 Arthouse Cinema Training wrapped its biggest edition yet, bringing 58 participants from 25 countries and 30 trainers to focus on exhibition know-how, business planning, audience development and sustainability—plus more networking for the global arthouse ecosystem. Data Centers & Growth: T5 Services announced a major restructuring: T5 Construction rebrands as EverOn Data Center Services, while T5 Operations will join Salute to expand global operations and boost uptime-focused delivery across the data center lifecycle. Georgia–Turkmenistan Education Links: Tbilisi proposed opening a Georgian university branch in Turkmenistan, expanding student study opportunities, and hosting an education fair—alongside joint research ideas—during talks in Ashgabat. Black Sea Trade Push: Jan De Nul has started dredging for the Anaklia Deep Sea Port, deepening the access channel and building a breakwater to strengthen the Middle Corridor as an alternative to Russia-linked routes. Regional Trade Shift (Armenia–Azerbaijan): Armenia says Azerbaijani firms have begun buying Armenian goods, moving trade from one-way fuel imports toward bilateral exchange—an economic step that could reshape incentives around the peace process. Security Cooperation: Turkey and Georgia pledged tighter operational coordination against cross-border organized crime, citing cyber fraud, drugs and attacks on businesses and reporting hundreds of extraditions/deportations. Business & Legal Watch: A Tbilisi raid led to the administrative detention of businessman and dog shelter founder Tamaz Elizbarashvili amid a firearms-related investigation, according to local reporting.

Georgia Labor & Safety: The Ministry of Internally Displaced Persons, Labor, Health and Social Welfare met with the Georgian Business Association to discuss labor safety standards and enforcement in construction, stressing shared responsibility between the state and employers. Education & Household Spending: Georgia will start mandatory school uniform sales on Sept 1, with purchases cashless via a dedicated online platform (formebi.emis.ge) after Sept 15; 83 retail points will operate until then, and delivery will be handled by Georgian Post. Financial Rules: New regulations from Sept 1 tighten payment-service safeguards for people over 60, with extra checks for transfers above 500 GEL tied to higher-risk activities. Regional Business & Tourism: Adjara’s government reviewed summer results, citing 2 million+ visitors and a sharp rise in flights to Batumi, while highlighting plans to boost mountain tourism and business events. Legal & Corporate Risk: A U.S. judge denied Apple’s bid to dismiss a fintech trade-secrets and racketeering case, keeping the dispute alive. Trade & Geopolitics: Analysis pieces focus on Azerbaijan’s expanding Eurasian economic role through the SCO and transport corridors, and on the Aliyev–Pashinyan meeting in Bishkek under the SCO umbrella.

Securities Watch: Faruqi & Faruqi reminded XTI Aerospace (NASDAQ: XTIA) investors that the Oct. 27, 2026 deadline is approaching to seek lead-plaintiff status in a federal securities class action alleging misleading disclosures around undisclosed senior activities and delayed earnings filings. Securities Watch: The same firm also flagged an Oct. 27, 2026 lead-plaintiff deadline for Innventure (NASDAQ: INV), tied to claims that a reported AI-related deal was unlikely to materialize and that revenue/cash-flow targets were overstated. Legal & HR: A Georgia federal court age-discrimination suit targets Southern Company Services, alleging a supervisor said there were “too many people over 60” before the plaintiff was fired shortly after turning 60. Public Safety Tech: Moultrie police discussed Flock cameras with city council, arguing the system can’t track people and describing audit and deletion practices. Food Safety: FDA posted a recall of Crystal Temptations “Chocolatey Eyeballs” due to undeclared milk allergens, distributed across multiple US states including Georgia. Education Access: Georgia will give 1,795 applicants a second chance to enrol after failing to secure a place despite passing minimum exam thresholds, as part of the higher-education reform transition. Higher Education & Skills: Georgia’s education minister visited vocational colleges, while GWSB partnered with Georgian National University SEU for a dual master’s in AI for Business. Tourism & Trade: Georgia expanded its tourism marketing partnership with China’s Trip.com Group. Infrastructure: Varketili metro station rehabilitation was delayed again by four months. Culture & Heritage: Rustaveli Avenue’s miniature bronze sculptures dispute continues, with claims of damage/loss during rehabilitation denied by the sculptor.

Georgia Growth Watch: Geostat says Georgia’s real GDP rose 8% year-on-year in July 2026, with January–July averaging 7.9%; growth was led by manufacturing, ICT, finance/insurance, mining and transport, while construction fell, and forecasts from the EBRD and IMF point to robust but moderating expansion. Banking & Digital Services: AccessBank launched AccessRadio, an online audio platform combining music, podcasts and staff-made programs focused on finance, business and tech, with access via its website. AI Skills Pipeline: GWSB and Georgian National University SEU are rolling out a dual master’s in AI for Business starting this fall, with applications open until Sept. 20 and classes on the SEU campus in Tbilisi. Trade & Transport Corridor: Armenia’s infrastructure minister David Khudatyan will join an international maritime forum in Batumi in early September, where Georgia’s Middle Corridor is expected to be a key topic, alongside GIMF 2026’s push to strengthen regional shipping links. Energy & Industry Links: A report says Kazakhstan exported its first crude oil shipment to Georgia in July (about 5,500 tons), while Georgia’s imports still heavily rely on Russia. Education & Workforce: Georgia’s education minister visited vocational college branches in Stepantsminda and Daba Tianeti, highlighting IT, engineering, agriculture and business administration programs for 60+ students.

Tourism & Infrastructure in Adjara: Batumi Botanical Garden says visitor numbers rose about 10% year-on-year, with plans to modernize services via QR codes and new tourist routes. Energy & Investment: SOCAR’s Uzbekistan push moves from champion to global operator as it takes on upstream exploration blocks under a major PSA. Finance & Banking: Armenia’s Ardshinbank group agrees to acquire Georgia’s Terabank and the Biltmore Tbilisi hotel, signaling deeper regional dealmaking. Trade & Connectivity: ADB backs a $400m financing facility to modernize borders and support trade across the CAREC Middle Corridor. Public Policy & Business Climate: Georgia’s planned emergency fuel waiver aims to lower gas prices, while U.S. data-center debate in Georgia (Warnock) centers on moratorium demands tied to utilities, pollution, and transparency. Food & Consumer Safety: FDA upgraded a pistachio butter recall risk to “could cause serious illness or death” over possible salmonella contamination. Civic & Social Pressure: Tbilisi protests mark day 640, with marches also focused on emigration and the release of political prisoners.

Tourism Push: Georgia is stepping up marketing in China via Trip.com Group and Ctrip, launching a dedicated Georgia page and aiming to boost bookings and direct air connectivity through end-2026. Energy & Investment: SOCAR’s Uzbekistan venture marks a shift from national champion to global operator after taking over as operator in upstream blocks under a major PSA. EV Infrastructure: Anari Energy says its Vulco DC chargers are now operational across nine countries including Georgia, as it reports expansion milestones in multiple regions. Local Economy & Jobs: A Georgian tourism partnership with China’s Trip.com comes alongside broader signals of investment activity, including new hotel and complex developments in Batumi. Fuel Prices Watch (US data): GasBuddy reports show volatile US gasoline pricing, with several Georgia counties posting week-ending Aug. 22 lows for midgrade and diesel. Public Debate & Governance: Georgia’s protest march in Tbilisi marks 640 days, with participants also raising demands around political prisoners and emigration. Sports Business: Arsenal reportedly agreed to sign Georgian winger Andria Bartishvili from Kolkheti-1913 Poti, with a five-year deal expected after a medical.