Uzbekistan eyes stake in Georgia’s Anaklia port to strengthen trade corridor

The announcement follows President Shavkat Mirziyoyev's state visit to Georgia, where he met with Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on July 2.

On July 3–4, a delegation of Uzbekistan led by Transport Minister Ilhom Mahkamov and Minister of Investment, Industry and Trade Laziz Kudratov toured key transport infrastructure facilities in Georgia, including the ports of Anaklia, Poti and Batumi, as well as the Poti Free Industrial Zone.

Particular attention was given to the Anaklia Deep Sea Port, which is under construction on Georgia's Black Sea coast. Once completed, the port will be capable of accommodating all types of vessels and is expected to become a strategic hub for international freight routes, including the China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan transport corridor.

According to the ministry, the Uzbek side examined the possibility of participating in the development of what is set to become Georgia's largest deep-sea port.

During their visit to Poti, the delegation also explored the operations of companies based in the free industrial zone and discussed the potential establishment of warehouse and terminal infrastructure for Uzbek cargo.

In Batumi, officials visited Batumi Sea Port and the Batumi International Container Terminal, where they discussed the transportation of Uzbekistan's export and import cargo to European and Latin American markets, according to Uztemiryulkonteyner.

The visit concluded with the identification of several priority areas for cooperation. The two sides plan to prepare relevant agreements and establish a consortium involving Uzbek companies to advance joint infrastructure projects.