Over the past two years, Gulf investment in Georgia has shifted from exploratory interest to transformative projects. Led by the United Arab Emirates (UAE), but with growing contributions from Qatar and Saudi Arabia, Gulf capital is now shaping Georgia’s real estate market, energy transition, and tourism infrastructure. The activity in Tbilisi, Batumi and selected energy sites indicates a clear investment pattern: Gulf investors in Georgia are seeking strategic entry points that combine high returns with long-term regional influence.
There are many factors that explain this surge in interest. Some of the most important are Strategic Location, Tourism Potential and Energy Opportunities. Georgia sits at the heart of the Middle Corridor, offering Gulf investors a gateway to Europe and Central Asia through modernized logistics infrastructure. From Black Sea resorts to spa towns, Georgia offers underdeveloped destinations with high potential. Georgia’s untapped renewable potential aligns with Gulf countries’ diversification strategies, particularly in solar and hydropower.
The UAE has taken the lead with high-profile deals that combine scale with strategic importance.
In January 2025, the Georgian government signed a landmark memorandum with Emirati developers Emaar Properties and Eagle Hills, pledging approximately $6 billion for mixed-use developments in Tbilisi, Batumi, and Gonio. This is the largest Gulf investment commitment to date in Georgia, promising a mix of residential, hospitality and retail infrastructure that could reshape urban landscapes.
In 2024, Abu Dhabi’s AD Ports Group acquired a 60% stake in the Tbilisi Dry Port, turning it into a Gulf-managed logistics hub within the Middle Corridor. This investment not only strengthens Georgia’s role as a transit country but also integrates its infrastructure into Gulf investment in Georgia-led trade networks.
Masdar, the UAE’s renewable energy giant, partnered with the Georgian Energy Development Fund to develop a 96-100 MW solar PV project in Gardabani. Once completed, it will be Georgia’s largest utility-scale solar facility, enhancing the country’s renewable energy capacity and export potential.
For instance, in a decade, the export of agri-food products has indeed increased by 147%.This means that the amount of Georgian food that met above-said standards increased significantly, meaning more products could legally enter and compete in the EU market, reinforcing the strength of Georgia-EU trade.
Qatari investment is smaller in scale but strategically targeted, particularly in hospitality.
Qatari investors have shown interest in restoring historic spa towns, most notably Tskaltubo. These projects focus on luxury tourism, often in partnership with local authorities, and follow Qatar’s global hospitality investment pattern through entities like Katara Hospitality and Qatari Diar.
In addition, Georgia and Qatar have agreed to launch free trade agreement (FTA) negotiations. An eventual deal could accelerate Qatari involvement in hospitality, real estate, and niche infrastructure sectors.
Saudi Arabia’s economic engagement with Georgia is at an earlier stage but building momentum.
Bilateral business forums in 2023-2024 have produced multiple memoranda in tourism, industry, and energy cooperation. While no single big project has yet materialized, interest from both the Public Investment Fund (PIF) and major Saudi conglomerates suggests potential for large-scale future commitments.
The Spanish-Georgian Business Alliance (SGBA) actively monitors foreign investment flows, including those from the Gulf region, to identify strategic opportunities for Georgian and international stakeholders. By providing market intelligence, facilitating business matchmaking, and offering policy insights, SGBA helps ensure that Gulf investment in Georgia entering Georgia is aligned with sustainable development goals and delivers long-term value. Through its network of partners and investor outreach, SGBA serves as a trusted bridge between Gulf investors and Georgian enterprises, enabling high-impact projects in real estate, energy, and tourism to move from concept to reality.