Kobakhidze Visits UAE, Focuses on Investment and Middle Corridor
By Liza Mchedlidze
Wednesday, January 14, 2026
Georgian Dream Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze is visiting the United Arab Emirates from January 12 to 15 on his first official trip of the year, accompanied by several cabinet ministers.
Kobakhidze is participating in Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, where he is expected to speak on a panel discussing the Middle Corridor and the role of energy in connecting Europe and Asia. His administration said the visit also includes meetings with representatives of "major investment firms."
The Georgian delegation includes Georgian Dream's Foreign Minister Maka Botchorishvili, Economy Minister Mariam Kvrivishvili, Agriculture Minister Davit Songhulashvili, Justice Minister Paata Salia, and Head of the Government Administration Levan Zhorzholiani.
The visit comes amid deepening economic ties between Georgia and the UAE and ongoing public debate over planned Emirati investments, including the Eagle Hills project, which Georgian Dream leaders have described as the largest investment in the country's history but which has drawn criticism from opponents.
Kobakhidze arrived in Abu Dhabi on January 12 and was welcomed by UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Saeed bin Mubarak Al Hajeri.
Later that day, Kobakhidze met with Abdulaziz Zayed Al Shamsi, regional CEO of Abu Dhabi Ports Group. According to the Georgian government, "the meeting focused on the importance of the Middle Corridor transport and logistics route and, in this context, the role of the Tbilisi Dry Port project."
The government described the Tbilisi Dry Port as "an example of successful partnership," noting that the facility began operating last year and links production hubs in West Asia with markets in Eastern Europe through transport networks across Georgia, Turkey, Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Kazakhstan. Abu Dhabi Ports Group holds a 60 percent stake in the project and manages the logistics hub, having invested 16 million U.S. dollars so far, with further investment expected.
On January 12, Kobakhidze also met Amira Sajwani, founder and CEO of UAE-based real estate technology company PRYPCO. The government said the meeting focused on "Georgia's favorable investment climate, recent trends in economic growth, and the country's tourism potential." Following the talks, the sides signed a memorandum of cooperation on introducing innovative technologies in the real estate sector, including "a secure and transparent tokenization process related to property rights."
On January 13, Kobakhidze met Hussain Sajwani, founder of DAMAC Properties. According to the government, the discussions highlighted "Georgia's strong economic growth indicators and the country's favorable business environment and investment opportunities."
Separately, GD Foreign Minister Maka Botchorishvili met UAE Minister of State Saeed bin Mubarak Al Hajeri on January 12. Georgia's Foreign Ministry said the sides emphasized "the friendly and partnership-based relations between Georgia and the United Arab Emirates" and discussed investment cooperation, trade and economic ties, and the strategic importance of the Middle Corridor.
The ministers also reviewed regional and global security challenges and reaffirmed their readiness to further deepen bilateral cooperation, the ministry said.
