Georgian Dream Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze is visiting Singapore, where he has held meetings with the country’s political leadership and representatives of financial technology companies.
Kobakhidze is accompanied by a Georgian Dream delegation that includes Foreign Minister Maka Botchorishvili, Economy Minister Mariam Kvrivishvili, and Head of the Government Administration Levan Zhorzholiani. They arrived in Singapore on July 21.
The Singapore visit follows a series of trips by the Georgian Dream government in Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Kazakhstan in June, as well as visits by the presidents of Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan to Georgia in July. It comes amid strained ties between Tbilisi and its traditional Western partners, including the United States and the European Union, and a lack of high-level engagement with them.
Meeting with PM Wong
On July 22, Kobakhidze met with Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, with the talks focusing on “long-standing and productive relations between the two countries,” which are “based on mutual respect and cooperation in areas of shared interest,” the Georgian government administration said.
The two also emphasized the importance of “further intensifying political dialogue” and “strengthening cooperation in both bilateral and multilateral formats.” They discussed “the potential for deepening trade, economic, and investment ties,” with particular emphasis on Georgia’s “economic and structural reforms,” as well as its “strong economic growth” and “favorable business environment.”
They also “underscored Georgia’s important role in enhancing connectivity between Europe and Asia” and discussed prospects for expanding cooperation in transport and tourism.
Meeting with President Shanmugaratnam
On July 22, Kobakhidze also met with Singapore’s President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and discussed with him “the potential for further deepening trade, economic and investment relations, as well as strengthening political and cultural ties” between the two countries.
The two sides also discussed Georgia’s “favorable business environment” and “investment opportunities,” with Kobakhidze reaffirming the Georgian government’s readiness to “deepen cooperation with Singapore’s leading financial centres and investment funds.”
They further discussed “potential cooperation in tourism and innovation,” and expressed confidence that the visit would elevate relations “to a new stage.” Kobakhidze also reportedly thanked Singapore’s president for his “firm support” for Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Other Meetings
On July 22, Kobakhidze and members of the Georgian delegation met with representatives of fintech companies. According to the Georgian government administration, “nearly 30 leading” companies from Singapore attended the meeting, during which Kobakhidze spoke about Georgia’s “strategic location” and its “unique role” in enhancing regional and intercontinental connectivity.
“He also emphasized Georgia’s business-friendly environment, liberal tax system, predictable legislative framework, and macroeconomic stability, noting that these factors create favorable conditions for long-term investment,” the press release said, adding that Kobakhidze also highlighted Georgia’s “strong economic growth, leading positions in international rankings, and the rapid development of its financial sector,” noting that “these achievements provide a solid foundation for introducing new financial services and fostering long-term partnerships between the business communities of Georgia and Singapore.”
On July 22, the delegation also met with Eugene Gan, CEO of Changi Airports International. The meeting focused on Georgia’s tourism and aviation sectors, including plans to expand Tbilisi International Airport and construct a new international airport in Vaziani, as well as “prospects for cooperation” with the company through “sharing expertise and enhancing airport development, management, and operational efficiency.”
More to follow…
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