PM Kobakhidze kicks off official visit to Azerbaijan

According to Mariam Kvrivishvili, Georgia’s Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development, a productive meeting was held between members of the Cross-Government Coordination Commission on Food Prices and Georgian producers. The gathering reaffirmed the challenges identified by the Georgian government that contribute to the high cost of consumer goods.“Furthermore, these challenges also result in fewer Georgian-made products in our markets. This situation directly reflects the difficulties faced daily by local producers,” Mariam Kvrivishvili remarked.The meeting, led by Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, was attended by representatives of approximately 25 Georgian manufacturing companies. A key focus was placed on the current state of the market for Georgian-made products and how to strengthen their presence.The Minister emphasised that the government must protect the interests of the people by actively working to reduce the prices of consumer goods.“It is equally important to reduce our dependence on imports, support the production of local products, and ensure that Georgian goods dominate retail chains over foreign, imported alternatives. Such measures will undoubtedly foster economic growth, create jobs, and benefit small and medium-sized entrepreneurs,” Mariam Kvrivishvili concluded.

On January 26, customs officers of the Revenue Service of the Ministry of Finance of Georgia, together with more than 180 member administrations of the World Customs Organization (WCO), celebrated International Customs Day.In 2026, the slogan of International Customs Day is “Customs – Protecting Society”.Customs officers were congratulated on their professional day by the Prime Minister of Georgia, Irakli Kobakhidze, the Minister of Finance, Lasha Khutsishvili, as well as the Head of the Revenue Service, Irakli (Dachi) Beraia, and the Head of the Customs Department, Mikheil Chokoshvili.As part of the event dedicated to International Customs Day, guests heard a video greeting from the Secretary General of the World Customs Organization, Ian Saunders.For the worthy performance of official duties and close cooperation, certificates of honor established by the World Customs Organization were awarded to 20 customs officers of the Customs Department.It is noteworthy that within the framework of the event, based on the close partnership between the Customs Administration and the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia, the Certificate of Honor established by the WCO was awarded to the Central Criminal Police Department.The Revenue Service congratulates each customs officer and the world customs community on their professional day.

“Each country bears its own responsibility in implementing international sanctions, and Georgia is diligently fulfilling its obligations,” stated Minister of Finance Lasha Khutsishvili in response to questions about Georgia’s role in enforcing international sanctions.He emphasised that every case brought to public attention by the media or various organisations is addressed appropriately.“There is no matter that can be left unexamined. The Ministry of Finance of Georgia, together with the Revenue Service and Customs Authority, has issued hundreds of statements on this matter. The specific case mentioned by some media outlets today has been thoroughly verified, and this transaction bears no connection to Georgia. Suspicious transactions occur across various countries worldwide, but not everything can be attributed to Georgia. We are responsible for all transactions conducted within Georgia or through Georgia. The transactions in question, as discussed, are not linked to Georgia and were not exported from Georgia to any sanctioned country. Therefore, we cannot accept any accusations, as all operations potentially related to sanctions are subject to very strict oversight,” Khutsishvili explained.He added that exported goods are delivered to the destination countries, and subsequent movement falls under the responsibility of those recipient nations.“The vehicles you mentioned are exported to the countries from which they originate. Where do these vehicles go from those countries? Georgia cannot be responsible for the entire logistics chain on a global scale, from one end of the world to the other. Each country has its own responsibilities, and Georgia is diligently fulfilling its part,” concluded Khutsishvili.

“I would like to extend my congratulations to each employee of the Georgian Customs Service on their Professional Day, and express my gratitude for the high level of professionalism and sense of national responsibility with which you serve our country,” said the Prime Minister of Georgia, Irakli Kobakhidze, in his speech at the event dedicated to International Customs Day.According to the Head of Government, the government aims to develop Georgia into a versatile regional hub that will bring prosperity to all, citizens and partners alike. This strategy is rooted in large-scale infrastructure projects.“Your work often goes unnoticed by the wider public, yet it forms the very bedrock of our country’s economic security. It is you who facilitate legitimate trade, mobilise budget revenues, and safeguard citizens from smuggled or hazardous goods. Your service has evolved into a modern, transparent, and efficient system, one of the key pillars for economic growth, investor confidence, and fair competition.Georgia’s strategic location at the crossroads of Europe and Asia makes our country a natural gateway. Georgia serves as a reliable hub for seven landlocked neighbouring states, providing them with access to global trade routes.We aim to transform Georgia into a versatile regional centre that will promote prosperity for all, our citizens and international partners alike. The flagship infrastructure projects support this strategy. The East-West highway, the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway, dry ports, and the Anaklia Deep Sea Port are all vital in enhancing Georgia’s position within the Middle Corridor,” emphasised Irakli Kobakhidze.

“The meeting with local producers was particularly significant and insightful. Several key issues were highlighted, foremost among them the potential to reduce prices for local products and to enhance the integration of Georgian agrifood items into organised distribution networks, a crucial factor,” stated Davit Songhulashvili, Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture.“Today’s discussion once again underscores the opportunities available to local producers: on the one hand, to increase domestic production of agrifood products, and on the other, to lower prices. Overall, these developments will undoubtedly have a positive impact on the citizens of our country,” added Songhulashvili.Today, Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze met with Georgian producers within the framework of the Cross-Government Coordination Commission on Food Prices. As the Prime Minister noted during the meeting, preliminary information suggests that current market regulations, to some extent, hinder Georgian producers from ensuring the proper sale of their products within local supply chains. Twenty-five representatives from local production sectors attended the commission.