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The International Transport and Logistics Exhibition and Forum will take place on March 12–13 in Expo Georgia in Tbilisi. It will be the second time the event takes place, with the support of TBC. Expo Georgia and consulting company Savvy organize the conference.
Support and development of a strategically important sector of the economy is the main objective of the international exhibition and forum. Local and international logistics companies, representatives of ports and railway operators, air carriers, investment and financial institutions, as well as import–export-oriented businesses will gether at the event.
Such key industry topics as the strategic importance of the Middle Corridor, development of the Zangezur route, sector challenges, investment attraction opportunities, and the dynamics of digital logistics development will be discussed during the two-day forum by participants.
Evidently, one of the strategic pillars of Georgia’s economy is the logistics sector. The reason is the country’s geographic location positions that link Europe and Asia. They increase Georgia’s transit potential and directly contribute to its economic activity. More than 6% of GDP account for the sector that showed stable growth in recent years.
Giorgi Darchiashvili, Director of Corporate Clients Services (Large and Medium Business) at TBC , acknowledges that logistics is a strategically important direction for TBC. He explains that the sector strengthens Georgia’s role in regional trade by uniting businesses involved in exports, as well as by supporting imports. Holding such events like this forum creates a platform for dialogue, knowledge sharing, and new partnerships, contributing to the sector’s sustainable long-term development. As a financial partner, TBC actively supports infrastructure projects, business expansion of its clients, and the implementation of modern technologies. This led to the growth of TBC’s logistics sector portfolio by 74% over the past three years and reaching GEL 436 million.

Georgia’s logistics sector has been demonstrating a steady development in recent years. So, its strategic importance for the country increases. This was the main motivation for launching the first exhibition and forum last year, which was highly successful. This year’s event is going to overcome the first one.
According to Resan Kikava, Director of Expo Georgia Today, it has already become an annual event and one of the most important industry platforms, bringing together local and international companies, investors, and industry professionals to share experience and jointly contribute to the development of the logistics sector in Georgia and across the wider region.
NH Logistics GEO has been offering IOR Importer of Record and EOR Exporter of Record services since 2001 and is a market leader in Georgia and Eurasia, supporting many clients with their import/export shipments.

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A document seen by Reuters reports that the EU has proposed sanctioning ports in Georgia and Indonesia over their role in handling Russian oil.
Moreover, a proposal to broaden the European Union’s sanctions regime against Russia has been put forward. As a result, ports in Georgia and Indonesia that facilitate the handling of Russian oil became targets. 
In case of adoption, it will be the first case of blocking ports located in third countries.
Effectively, the proposal will add the Georgian port of Kulevi and Indonesia’s Karimun terminal to the EU’s sanctions list, prohibiting EU-based companies and individuals from engaging in any commercial dealings with either facility.
In general, these measures are part of the EU’s 20th package of sanctions against Russia.
The European External Action Service (EEAS) and the European Commission jointly prepared the package and formally presented it to EU member states on Monday.
As European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Friday, the package would introduce sweeping sectoral restrictions and replace the Group of Seven’s price cap on Russian crude with a comprehensive ban on maritime services linked to Russian oil.
As Reuters reported earlier, Russia began shipping oil to Georgia’s Kulevi refinery shortly after the facility opened in October 2025.
According to LSEG and a trader, the outlet reported that the tanker Kayseri transported 105,340 metric tons of Siberian Light crude from Russia’s Black Sea port of Novorossiisk to the Kulevi Oil Terminal on Oct. 6.
Meanwhile, Georgia’s reliance on Russian energy imports remains heavy. Nearly $520 million worth of petroleum and petroleum oils were imported by the country from Russia in 2024, what equaled to roughly 40% of its total imports in that category.
Volumes rising sharply from late 2024 onward made Indonesia’s Karimun terminal, situated within a free trade zone near Singapore, a key transit point for Russian oil products.
According to ship-tracking data, since October of that year, the terminal has received Russian oil products every month. Also, onward shipments were sent to Malaysia, Singapore, and China.
In total, Karimun accepted about 217,000 metric tons (equivalent to roughly 1.6 million barrels) of Russian diesel in 2025.
NH Logistics GEO has been offering IOR Importer of Record and EOR Exporter of Record services since 2001 and is a market leader in Georgia and Eurasia, supporting many clients with their import/export shipments.

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Tbilisi’s initiative aims at regional integration and evolving trade routes, despite investment and regional security risks.
The main goal of Georgia is to become a transit intermediary between Armenia and Azerbaijan and wider Eurasian markets.
As Georgia’s Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze informed, the country has launched projects to create joint customs checkpoints with Armenia and Azerbaijan with support from the Asian Development Bank.
He also said that a novel computerized transit system has been successfully implemented, according to European Union standards.
Such infrastructure initiatives as the East–West Highway, the Baku–Tbilisi–Kars railway, the Anaklia deep-sea port, dry ports, and railway modernization are among projects aimed at enhancing transportation connections between Central Asia, the Black Sea region, and European markets.
Georgia also pursues geopolitical signaling purposes, such as attracting investment from China and the West through the incorporation of neighboring countries into its customs and transit infrastructure. There are free trade agreements between Georgia wand China, Turkey, and the EU. They make the country engaged in a comprehensive economic strategy designed to enhance its connections with China, maintain its partnership with the EU, and preserve its ties with the United States. South Caucasus transit routes attract more attention due to Beijing’s Belt and Road Initiative.
Unfortunately, unresolved Armenia–Azerbaijan tension is a constraint able to disrupt corridor projects.
Nevertheless, there is a significant progress in establishing and operationalizing joint Georgia–Armenia and Georgia–Azerbaijan customs checkpoints, including technical and regulatory implementation milestones.
Other beneficial changes are developments in the Armenia–Azerbaijan peace process that affect cross-border trade, transit security, and corridor reliability.
Also, the Asian Development Bank and other external financiers gave commitments and disbursements to Georgian transport and customs infrastructure projects.
Moreover, there are shifts in EU and US diplomatic and economic engagement with Georgia linked to domestic governance and regulatory policies.
Georgia’s joint initiatives in customs integration and infrastructure development will continue to solidify its transit capabilities and encourage foreign investment. The continued effectiveness of these initiatives with Western nations will be shaped by the Armenia–Azerbaijan peace process, Russia’s regional actions, and Georgia’s partnerships. Nevertheless, instability of the situation in the region or escalation among external powers are the factors hindering Georgia’s effort to act as a stabilizing logistics hub and complicate its multi-vector economic strategy.
NH Logistics GEO has been offering IOR Importer of Record and EOR Exporter of Record services since 2001 and is a market leader in Georgia and Eurasia, supporting many clients with their import/export shipments.

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According to the Chamber of Foreign Trade of Bosnia and Herzegovina (VTKBiH), the competent institutions should provide the information regarding a Decree on the introduction of a temporary measure to ensure the economic stability of industries of strategic importance. The Government of Serbia has adopted this decree which limits the import of certain iron and steel products from January 1 to June 30, 2026.
For example, ribbed concrete steel and hot-rolled wire in coils, as well as ribbed concrete steel in rods, fall under the regulation. They introduce the measure for six months and will implement it through the system of tariff quotas. After that, the import of these products will be the subject of a customs duty of 50 percent. Nevertheless, individual quotas are divided into quarterly maximums, for the period from January 1 to March 31, in order to supply the market evenly. That means that it is possible to transfer the unused quota from the first to the second quarter until June 30 of this year. The order of customs declarations’ acceptance will be the basis of quotas distribution.
Evidently, such parameters as the cumulative volume of real trade flows, regional distribution models and the real market share of producers and suppliers were not fully taken into account when determining the quotas.
Moreover, they adopted the Regulation limiting the duty-free placement of goods within the CEFTA countries at the very end of one business year. This factor limits long-term contracts that companies from BiH have with companies on the market of the Republic of Serbia.
The statement adds that the detention of trucks at border crossings, which has already occurred in practice and currently is the most critical problem for exporters from Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The retention has already had measurable and serious consequences. Financial costs (truck stops, penalties, additional transport costs) increased, deliveries to contracted customers in the Republic of Serbia were delayed. Production and construction supply chains were interrupted, causing serious damage to the reputation of suppliers from Bosnia and Herzegovina as reliable and predictable partners.
As VTKBiH announced, it asks an urgent reaction of the competent institutions of the Republic of Serbia and CEFTA structures to the competent institutions in BiH due to the economic repercussions of the effects of the said Regulation on the free, duty-free flow of goods within CEFTA countries.
NH Logistics SER has been offering IOR Importer of Record and EOR Exporter of Record services since 2001 and is a market leader in Serbia and Eurasia, supporting many clients with their import/export shipments.

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Since January 1, Serbia has launched a six-month import quota scheme on selected steel products.
Particularly, imports of cement and certain steel products have fallen under this temporary quota regime. The measure limits imports of Portland cement and selected iron and steel products through tariff quotas for a six-month period from January 1 to June 30, 2026. It means that they will apply an additional 50% customs duty to the relevant products after the exceeding the quota thresholds.
Five product groups will fall under the regulation: Portland cement, hot-rolled steel, cold-rolled steel, ribbed concrete reinforcing steel, hot-rolled wire rod, and ribbed reinforcing bars. The largest share of the total quota volume, exceeding 420,000 tonnes, accounts for cement (250,350 tonnes). They will allocate quotas to countries and customs territories basing on their respective shares of total imports over the past five years.
Türkiye, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Albania, and other countries of the European Union expect the largest allocations. They will implement the quota scheme in two quarterly phases: January 1–March 31 and April 1–June 30, 2026, with the possibility to carry any unused quota volumes forward to the following quarter.
A “first come, first served” principle will define quota distribution. Implementation and monitoring will be under the responsibility of the Customs Administration. Also, they will report utilization data to the Ministry of Internal and Foreign Trade on a monthly basis.
NH Logistics SER has been offering IOR Importer of Record and EOR Exporter of Record services since 2001 and is a market leader in Serbia and Eurasia, supporting many clients with their import/export shipments.

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Serbia’s plans for 2026 are ramping up support for exporters, reducing administrative barriers, and strengthening key sectors from agriculture to energy. New wine and animal feed regulations, EU-backed research at BioSense, and expanded export promotion are included in key initiatives. Their aims are boosting competitiveness and fostering closer public-private collaboration.
As President of the Serbian Chamber of Commerce (PKS), Marko Čadež, said, the PKS Center for Economic Initiatives and Rapid Solutions will focus on supporting exporters, cutting administrative barriers, harmonizing certifications, boosting energy efficiency, and tackling the abuse of sick leave in 2026.
They made progress in simplifying environmental procedures, improving the waste management legal framework, and launching initiatives to reduce food waste during 2025. The energy sector improved transparency of cooperation with relevant ministries in electricity pricing and billing. Small businesses got expanded access to more favorable supply models.
Also, import permits, exports of poultry meat and table eggs, and market surpluses in agriculture and trade were among issues the Center worked on. Construction and urban planning, particularly in the issuance of building and occupancy permits also progressed.
They discussed with European partners such key challenges in transport and logistics as Schengen stay limits for drivers, visa regimes, and rising transport costs.
PKS said activities aimed at resolving concrete business issues will continue, with the next meeting of the Center scheduled for mid-January 2026.
Meanwhile, a public consultation on the Draft Law on Animal Feed, running until January 5, 2026 has been opened by the Ministry of Agriculture, with a roundtable discussion planned.
As Agriculture Minister Dragan Glamočić announced, Serbia is planning to ramp up investments in its wine and viticulture sector. The Minister emphasized the government’s commitment to supporting winemakers and winegrowers.
For example, they will set new regulations for viticulture and wine production to clarify criteria and improve control over incentives. Funding for anti-frost systems, hail protection, and modern farm machinery, winery construction and equipment purchases will be among other measures of support.
Meanwhile, winemakers would like to have a predictable, annual calendar of public calls. In response, Glamočić promised that the adoption of the Regulation on the Allocation of Incentives for 2026 will improve transparency.
Also, EU Ambassador Andreas von Becherat highlighted EU support for Serbia’s research capacities and preparations for EU membership during his visit to the BioSense Institute in Novi Sad.
NH Logistics SER has been offering IOR Importer of Record and EOR Exporter of Record services since 2001 and is a market leader in Serbia and Eurasia, supporting many clients with their import/export shipments.

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Deputy Minister of Economy Genadi Arveladze says that Georgia has signed free trade agreements with 46 countries and one administrative entity. It grants preferential access to their markets to about 87% of the country’s exports.
According to the Caspian Post, the European Union, China, Hong Kong and the United Arab Emirates are Georgia’s major partners. This gives Georgian producers access to a combined consumer market estimated at USD 2.3 billion.
As Arveladze stated, the government is trying to gain access to an additional market of the Gulf Cooperation Council worth around USD 60 million. The launch of free trade talks with Serbia is being prepared. Also, they plan negotiations with Israel for 2026. Moreover, legal procedures of talks with South Korea are now in progress. As a result of these prospective agreements, Georgian businesses could gain more than USD 130 million in new export opportunities.
Simultaneously, exporters continue to receive the support of the Ministry of Economy through the ‘Enterprise Georgia’ program. It increases international visibility of Georgian products and strengthening their market presence.
All these efforts made exports grow by more than 10% year-on-year during the first 11 months of 2025, beyond annual targets. Georgian goods were shipped to 134 countries, which shows the improvement of export diversification. 70 markets demonstrated growth and 20 countries doubled exports.
NH Logistics GEO has been offering IOR Importer of Record and EOR Exporter of Record services since 2001 and is a market leader in Georgia and Eurasia, supporting many clients with their import/export shipments.

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Amendments to the free trade agreement between the Government of Ukraine and the Government of Montenegro have been signed.
As the press service of the Deputy Prime Minister’s Office reports, the document updates the rules for determining the origin of goods in line with the revised Regional Convention on Pan-Euro-Mediterranean preferential rules of origin. It especially provides simplified rules for international trade and reduces administrative barriers for businesses.
Also, they expect new opportunities to increase exports of Ukrainian goods to the Montenegrin market to appear. It will help Ukrainian producers integrate into international value chains.
Since January 1, 2013, a free trade agreement between Ukraine and Montenegro has been in force.
As the State Statistics Service reports, in January–September 2025 bilateral trade in goods attained USD 124.1 million. Meanwhile, exports reached USD 30.4 million and imports equalled to USD 93.7 million.
NH Logistics UKR has been offering IOR Importer of Record and EOR Exporter of Record services since 2001 and is a market leader in Ukraine and Eurasia, supporting many clients with their import/export shipments.

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As the Statistical Office of the Republic of Serbia (SORS) reports, the value of goods that Serbia exported in the first nine months of this year was 8.9 per cent higher than in the same period last year. Meanwhile, the value of imports grew by 8.2 per cent.
A 9.6 per cent increase influenced export movements most strongly in the manufacturing industry, (87.8% of total exports), mining, (5.6%). Totally, the cumulative growth reached 9.4 per cent.
However, the volume of the largest external trade deficit with China in the first nine months of this year amounted to 3.2 billion euros. The trade deficit with Turkey, attained 747 million euros.
Serbia mainly imported unclassified products, unspecified machinery and equipment, as well as computers and electronic and optical products from China.
The reason of the negative external trade balance with Turkey was high value of imports of basic metals as well as electrical equipment.
According to Tanjug news agency, Germany, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Italy, China and Hungary are countries Serbia exports the most to. China, Germany, Italy, Turkey and Hungary are main importers.
NH Logistics SER has been offering IOR Importer of Record and EOR Exporter of Record services since 2001 and is a market leader in Serbia and Eurasia, supporting many clients with their import/export shipments.

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According to the trade ministry in Belgrade, Serbia and Georgia launched negotiations about a bilateral free trade agreement (FTA) on Monday.
Serbia’s trade minister Jagoda Lazarevic and Georgia’s minister of economy and sustainable development Mariam Kvrivishvili signed a joint statement for the conclusion of a free trade agreement, expecting to conclude the FTA
by the end of 2026.
As data from Serbia’s chamber of commerce showed, the worth of products that Serbia exported to Georgia in 2024 was about 10 million euro ($11.8 million). These were cigarettes, paper and paperboard, and tyres for passenger cars. Meanwhile, the worth of importing products (lubricating oils, machines) attained 1.7 million euro.
The trade ministry reports that Serbia currently has free trade agreements with China, the EU, Egypt, Turkey, the Eurasian Economic Union, Great Britain, CEFTA, and EFTA countries. Also, the first round of talks on a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between Serbia and South Korea has been concluded this month. Moreover, Belgrade signed a similar agreement with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in 2024.
NH Logistics GEO has been offering IOR Importer of Record and EOR Exporter of Record services since 2001 and is a market leader in Georgia and Eurasia, supporting many clients with their import/export shipments.

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