Ambassador Lomtatidze to Al-Qabas: Kuwaitis enter Georgia without a visa and can stay for up to 365 days
Georgian Ambassador to Kuwait, Noshirvan Lomtatidze, confirmed that Kuwaiti-Georgian relations are witnessing rapid development across various levels. He emphasized that Kuwait represents a strategic partner for his country in the Gulf region and that Georgia aims to elevate bilateral cooperation to encompass broader fields such as trade, investment, energy, transport, and tourism, alongside deepening economic partnerships between the two nations.
In a special interview with Al-Qabas, Lomtatidze stated that the security tensions affecting the region pose significant challenges to global energy security and international trade. However, he noted that Georgia has managed to maintain the strength of its economy thanks to the economic and financial reforms implemented by the government. He affirmed that his country will continue to play a pivotal role as a strategic corridor for energy and trade transit between Europe and Asia.
He added that Georgia views Kuwait as a reliable partner and seeks to enhance cooperation with it in the fields of investment, logistical connectivity, and food security, stressing that the relations between the two countries hold great potential for growth in the coming years. He clarified that the Georgian economy recorded real growth of 7.5 percent in 2025, with preliminary estimates indicating a growth rate of 9.1 percent during the first quarter of 2026.
He stressed that his country attaches special importance to strengthening its partnership with Gulf states, foremost among them Kuwait, based on shared interests and a convergent vision to expand cooperation in trade, investment, and logistics. He praised Kuwait’s approach in dealing with security challenges, wishing it continued security and stability, and commended the role played by the Kuwaiti leadership, under the guidance of His Highness the Amir, in managing these challenges with wisdom. He expressed confidence in Kuwait’s ability to overcome these challenges and continue its path of development and prosperity.
He added that the Georgian market is beginning to attract increasing interest from Kuwaiti investors, pointing to the visit of Mohammed Al-Shaikh, Chairman of the Executive Board of the Al-Shaikh Group, leading a delegation of Kuwaiti businessmen to Georgia to participate in the opening of the first branch of the “Starbucks” chain in the capital, Tbilisi. This, he said, reflects the growing confidence of Kuwaiti companies in the Georgian economy.
He clarified that investment opportunities in Georgia are not limited to tourism but also include construction, real estate, hospitality, renewable energy, logistics, industry, information technology, and financial services. He noted that these sectors are supported by modern legislation, a competitive tax system, and a strategic location linking European and Asian markets.
He affirmed that the Agreement on the Promotion and Protection of Mutual Investments between Kuwait and Georgia, along with the Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement, provide strong legal guarantees for investors and facilitate business operations between the two countries. He called on Kuwaiti investors to contact the Georgian Embassy to take advantage of available investment opportunities.
The Georgian Ambassador expressed his pride in the increasing number of Kuwaitis visiting Georgia, confirming that its continued selection as a tourist destination reflects the depth of bilateral relations and the trust enjoyed by the Georgian tourism sector. He said, “We aim to attract Kuwaiti patients through medical tourism, regenerative medicine, and stem cell therapies.”
He stated that the Georgian government, in collaboration with the private sector, continues to invest in developing infrastructure, improving transport and hospitality services, and raising the quality of tourism services, while ensuring a safe and comfortable environment for all visitors. He noted that Georgia welcomed more than 7.8 million international visitors in 2025, a figure nearly double the country’s population, reflecting its status as a preferred and secure tourist destination.
Regarding air traffic, he welcomed the resumption of direct flights by Kuwait Airways and Jazeera Airways to Georgia after their temporary suspension, expressing hope for an increase in flights to Tbilisi and Batumi, as well as the launch of direct flights to Kutaisi International Airport, thereby enhancing air connectivity between the two countries.
He revealed that Georgia welcomed approximately 30,000 Kuwaiti visitors in 2025, anticipating that this number will continue to grow amid increasing interest in Georgian tourist and investment destinations. He added that Kuwaiti citizens, as well as all citizens of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, can enter Georgia without a visa and stay for up to 365 days. Additionally, residents of Kuwait who meet the conditions can enter Georgia without a visa for up to 90 days.
He also pointed to the growing interest of Kuwaitis in purchasing real estate in Georgia, explaining that property registration procedures take only 24 hours. Investors can own property in their full name without requiring a local partner or facing any time restrictions on ownership. He invited Kuwaitis to visit Georgia during the summer and autumn, emphasizing that his country offers not only a distinguished tourism experience but also abundant investment opportunities, and that it looks forward to building a deeper economic and strategic partnership with Kuwait in the coming phase.
Lomtatidze further confirmed that his country expects a noticeable growth in the volume of trade with Kuwait next year, given what he described as excellent bilateral relations and the vast untapped potential to expand economic and investment cooperation between the two nations. He stated that Kuwait continues to consolidate its position as a regional hub for trade and investment, while Georgia looks forward to being a reliable partner for it, not only in investment but also in supporting food security by providing high-quality agricultural products through stable and reliable supply chains.
He explained that Georgia sees promising opportunities to expand bilateral trade, particularly in the food products and beverages sector, including meat, dairy products, mineral water, fresh fruits and vegetables, and others. He praised the role played by the Kuwait Chamber of Commerce and Industry in organizing the virtual exhibition of Georgian food products in May 2026, which brought together Kuwaiti food importers and Georgian producers, helping to open the door for new commercial partnerships and enhance direct cooperation between the business communities of both countries.
