Why We Invest in Georgia

 

Georgia’s Economic Overview

Diversified Resilient Economy

Leading economy in the region on the back of wide sector activities

  • Diversified non-commodity reliant economy with consistently high GDP growth across the last decade.

Investment-led GDP growth 

  • Development of large public infrastructure programmes backed by multilateral international funding driving potential GDP growth.
  • Infrastructure expenditures have reached record-high levels in 2019-2022 and stood at 6.6% of GDP in 2022, with public investment set to continue supporting growth in the medium run.
  • The resilience and flexibility of the Georgian economy have been underscored by two consecutive years of double-digit economic growth, as the economy expanded by 10.6% y-o-y and 11.0% y-o-y in 2021 and 2022 accordingly. Georgian economy continues to expand robustly with preliminary 2023 growth rate at 7.5%. 

Historically low inflation with 3% target set from 2018 by National Bank of Georgia

  • Inflation, like elsewhere around the world, was elevated during 2021-2022, however, Inflation has sharply reduced in 2023, falling below the target since April 2023, with annual average inflation standing at 2.5% in 2023. In January 2024, headline inflation printed at 0.0%. Considering the latest inflation downward trend NBG has begun a gradual exit from tight monetary policy and reduced the policy rate by 200 bps during May 2023-January 2024 to 9.0%.

Liberal economic policy

Top performer globally in WB Doing Business over the past 12 years

  • Liberty Act (effective January 2014) ensures a credible fiscal framework.
  • Fiscal deficit/GDP capped at 3%; Public debt/GDP capped at 60%. The general government debt has fallen below pre-COVID levels at 39.1% of GDP by the end of 2022 as GEL has strengthened and the economy has rebounded, while the fiscal deficit reached 3.0% of GDP in 2022.
  • Business friendly environment and low tax regime (attested by favourable international rankings).

Regional logistics and tourism hub

A natural transport and logistics hub, connecting land-locked energy rich countries in the east and European markets in the west 

  • Access to a market of 2.8 billion customers without customs duties: Free trade agreements with EU, China, Hong Kong, CIS and Turkey and GSP with USA, Canada, Japan, Norway and Switzerland; FTA with Israel and India under consideration. Transit trade has accelerated significantly since 2Q2022 with Re-export increasing by 75% y-o-y in 2023, almost tripled compared to the 2021.
  • The tourism sector continues to recover and income from international travel reached US$ 4.1 billion in 2023 (up 17% y-o-y), representing 126% of 2019 levels, reflecting the global resumption of travel as well as the migration effect. However, the number of international visitors shows only a partial recovery in 2023, standing at 80% against of 2019, pointing that significant further growth potential remains.

Investor confidence

An influx of foreign investors on the back of the economic reforms have boosted productivity and accelerated growth

  • FDI stood at US$ 2.1 billion (8.4% of GDP) in 2022 and US$ 1.4 billion (6.2% of GDP) in 9M23. FDI has averaged 8.4% of GDP across the last 10 years.
  • Sovereign credit ratings were upgraded in 2019 and maintained in 2020 despite the COVID-19 shock. As a result of the improved macroeconomic environment, Fitch Ratings revised Georgia’s sovereign credit rating outlook to positive from stable in January 2023 and reaffirmed the positive outlook in July 2023 and in January 2024, citing “solid economic growth prospects, credible macroeconomic and fiscal policy framework and sound banking sector”.
  • After repaying 10-year, 6.875% coupon Eurobonds issued in 2011, in April 2021, the Georgian government priced USD 500 million, 5-year Eurobonds at a record low coupon rate of 2.75%, with demand reaching four times the amount of issue, underscoring investor confidence, yielding a competitive edge over comparable countries and providing a favorable benchmark for future securities.

Support from international community

Georgia was granted the EU candidate status in December 2023

  • Georgia and the EU signed an Association Agreement and DCFTA in June 2014. Visa-free travel to the EU is another major success in Georgian foreign policy. Georgian passport holders were granted free visa entrance to the EU countries from 28 March 2017. 
  • On March 2023 Georgia submitted application to join the EU, a move that was originally scheduled for 2024. On 14 December 2023 the European Council granted the candidate status to Georgia. Granting candidate status to Georgia is a significant acknowledgment by the EU of the progress made in recent years.
  • Strong political support from NATO, EU, US, UN and members of WTO since 2000; Substantial support from DFIs, the US and EU.

Electricity transit hub potential

Developed, stable and competitively priced energy sector

  • New Black Sea Submarine Cable Project to connect Caucasus electricity to EU will significantly increase Georgia’s potential to become electricity transit hub.
  • Georgia imports natural gas mainly from Azerbaijan.
  • Significantly boosted transmission capacity in recent years, a new 400 kV line to Turkey and 500 kV line to Azerbaijan built, other transmission lines to Armenia and Russia upgraded.
  • Additional 2,000 MW transmission capacity development in the pipeline, facilitating cross-border electricity trade and energy swaps to Eastern Europe.

Stable political environment

  • Georgia underscored its commitment to European values by securing a democratic transfer of political power in successive parliamentary, presidential, and local elections and by signing an Association Agreement and free trade agreement with the EU. 
  • New constitution amendments passed in 2013 to enhance governing responsibility of Parliament and reduce the powers of the Presidency.
  • Russia began issuing visas to Georgians in March 2009; Georgia abolished visa requirements for Russians – Russia announced the easing of visa procedures for Georgians citizens effective December 23, 2015. In May 2023, Vladimer Putin signed the decree, about the abolishment of the visa regime for Georgian citizens starting 15 May 2023.  In addition, the ban on direct flights to Georgia (introduced in July 2019) was also lifted from May 15, 2023.
  • Member of WTO since 2000, allowed Russia’s access to WTO; In 2013 trade restored with Russia. 
  • In 2023, Russia accounted for 11% of Georgia’s exports and 12% of imports. While exports and imports to/from the EU accounted 12% and 24% accordingly.