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Georgia: Doing business & staying in touch
Doing business in Georgia
Business culture in Georgia is relationship-driven and places a strong emphasis on trust, respect, and personal connections. Initial meetings often begin with an informal conversation before moving on to business matters, and taking time to build rapport is viewed positively rather than as a delay. Patience is important, as decisions may take longer than expected and are often made at senior levels.
Dress codes tend to be smart and conservative in professional settings, particularly in Tbilisi and when dealing with government offices or established companies. Handshakes are the usual form of greeting, and it is polite to address people by their title and surname until invited to do otherwise. Business cards are commonly exchanged, and having one printed in both English and Georgian can be appreciated, though it is not essential.
Punctuality is generally expected, but meetings do not always start exactly on time. Hospitality plays an important role in business culture, and accepting offers of coffee, tea, or a meal is a normal part of professional interaction. Business dinners may extend into social occasions, where conversation often continues well beyond formal negotiations.
Georgia has a small but open and increasingly diversified economy, positioned as a bridge between Europe and Asia. Over recent years, the country has focused on economic reforms, ease of doing business, and attracting foreign investment, particularly in sectors such as tourism, energy, logistics, and real estate.
Services account for a significant share of economic activity, with tourism playing an especially important role. Agriculture remains vital in rural areas, producing wine, fruit, nuts, and mineral water, while hydropower is a key source of domestic energy. Georgia's strategic location has also strengthened its role as a transit and trade corridor linking the Black Sea with the Caucasus and Central Asia.
Tbilisi is the country's main economic and financial centre, hosting banks, international organisations, and a growing start-up scene. While challenges such as regional disparities and economic vulnerability remain, Georgia's economy is outward-looking and reform-oriented, creating a stable and increasingly modern environment for visitors and business travellers alike.
Wine, mineral water, ferro-alloys, copper ores, and agricultural products such as hazelnuts and fruit.
Petroleum and fuel, machinery and equipment, vehicles, pharmaceuticals, and food products.
Keeping in Touch in Georgia
Mobile phone coverage in Georgia is generally good, particularly in cities, towns, and along major roads. The main mobile network operators provide reliable 4G services in urban areas, with coverage extending to many rural regions. However, signal strength can be limited or unavailable in remote mountain areas. Visitors can easily purchase prepaid SIM cards at airports, mobile phone shops, and shopping centres, and registration is usually quick with a passport. Prepaid data packages are affordable and widely used by travellers.
Wi-Fi is widely available across Georgia, especially in hotels, guesthouses, cafés, restaurants, and shopping centres. Most accommodation offers free Wi-Fi, though speeds and reliability can vary, particularly in rural areas. Public Wi-Fi networks are available in some city centres and public buildings, but connections may be slower and less secure. Travellers relying heavily on internet access may prefer using mobile data as a backup when travelling outside major cities.
Georgia has a diverse and active media landscape, with television, radio, print, and online outlets operating nationwide. Television remains a primary source of news for many locals, while online news portals and social media are increasingly influential, particularly among younger audiences. Media content is mainly in Georgian, though some outlets publish news in English or Russian. Visitors will generally have no difficulty accessing international news via satellite television in hotels or online platforms.
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