The EU-Georgia Business Council (EUGBC) and the Georgian-Romanian Chamber of Commerce co-organized in Tbilisi a roundtable meeting between Georgian and Romanian business representatives. Opportunities for stronger cooperation in trade, investment, transport and energy were among discussed topics.
According to Romania’s Ambassador to Georgia, Razvan Rotundu, the shared culture and mentality, the position as Black Sea neighbors create the great potential for expanding bilateral ties.
As the ambassador also emphasized, the ferry link between the port of Poti and Constanța which has been operational for two years but remains underutilized, is significant. Also, a joint initiative of Georgia, Romania, Azerbaijan and Hungary which is expected to enhance energy security and establish a regional energy hub, as well as Romania’s support for the Black Sea submarine cable project, are important.
According to economic data, trade between Georgia and Romania is getting successful, demonstrating the growth of bilateral trade turnover from $134.9 million in January–July 2024 to $188.7 million in the same period this year.
Most of the trade is accounted for imports from Romania ($166.8 million in the first seven months of 2025). Romania is the second-largest oil supplier to Georgia after Russia with petroleum and petroleum products imports worth $132.6 million. Then follow manufactured tobacco ($6.1M), rubber tires ($3.6M), medicines ($2.2M), and cars ($1.9M).
There was a slight downfall of exports to Romania from $24.5 million in 2024 to $21.9 million this year. The leading export category was fertilizers ($16.8 million), then followed ferroalloys ($3M), amusement goods and games ($477K) and smaller shipments of machinery, brushes, detergents and mineral water.
Consistent volumes are shown by annual trade figures: $246.9 million in 2024, $244.2 million in 2023 and $314.7 million in 2022.
Nevertheless, Romania still doesn’t invest much in Georgia. In 2024, investments stood at $520,000, in 2023 a little more than $450,000 and just $143,000 in the first quarter of 2025.
However, tourism revenue is growing, though is still modest. There was a 6.7% year-on-year increase in the first half of 2025, when 3,860 Romanian tourists visited Georgia. The annual total grew up from 6,545 in 2023 and attained 8,246 travelers in 2024.
Both sides recognize actual opportunities to deepen economic relations, with strategic energy projects in talks and transport links like the Poti-Constanța ferry yet to reach their full potential. According to the results of today’s meeting, business-to-business relations expansion can broaden the cooperation, despite modest investment and tourism figures.
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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