Georgian Dream Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze met with Masato Kanda, President of the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the government administration reported on March 6. Kanda praised Georgia’s “strong macroeconomic performance,” reaffirming the Bank’s commitment to supporting the country’s economic development.
“During the meeting, the parties discussed the fruitful cooperation between the government of Georgia and the Asian Development Bank,” the press release said, adding that “the importance of ADB’s support as one of Georgia’s most reliable partners in the country’s economic sector was highlighted.”
The press release said the meeting also covered ADB’s investment portfolio in Georgia, noting that the bank’s investments in both the public and private sectors “exceed USD 5 billion,” and support programs aimed at developing “tourism infrastructure, water supply systems, transport connectivity, energy, as well as regional and municipal sectors.”
“It was also noted that the inauguration of the new representative office of the Asian Development Bank in Tbilisi is yet another clear confirmation of the long-term partnership between Georgia and ADB,” the press release added.
“It was an honor to meet Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze in Tbilisi. Georgia’s strong macroeconomic performance and continued reform efforts reflect resilience and forward momentum,” Kanda wrote on X.
Kanda congratulated Kobakhidze on Georgia’s “strengthening national and regional connectivity,” including through the Rikoti pass highway, which he said reinforces “Georgia’s position along the Middle Corridor.” The highway, inaugurated in December, was financed through loans from the World Bank, the European Investment Bank, and the Asian Development Bank.
“This evening, we will inaugurate ADB’s new office in Tbilisi, reinforcing our long-term partnership and expanding our engagement on the ground to deliver greater impact for the people of Georgia,” Kanda wrote.
“ADB is committed to supporting Georgia’s economic development and improving the quality of life for all Georgian people,” Kanda said, according to the ADB’s press release. “Our partnership is strong, and we are committed to scaling for impact. From critical infrastructure to pioneering private sector investments, we will continue to support Georgia’s ambition to become a regional gateway linking Asia to Europe.”
On March 5, Kanda met separately with Georgian Dream Finance Minister Lasha Khutsishvili. According to the Finance Ministry, Khutsishvili briefed the ADB President on Georgia’s “macroeconomic and fiscal parameters,” as well as on Georgia’s efforts to strengthen “energy security, enhance competitiveness, and accelerate regionally significant transport infrastructure.”
The ministry noted that ADB was the first international financial institution to provide Georgia “with a sovereign loan in the local currency.”
“Encouraging to hear the significant results of Georgia’s reforms and sound macroeconomic management – these are the best ‘insurance’ against external shocks,” Kanda wrote on X, adding that discussions covered strengthening Georgia’s position along the Middle Corridor via “connectivity in energy, transport, and digital” infrastructure.
Kanda said that since Georgia joined the ADB in 2007, the bank has provided nearly USD 6 billion in financial assistance, and “remains one of the country’s largest development partners.”
He added that it was “gratifying to hear of innovative and game-changing projects positioning ADB as a leading development finance institution in Georgia, including local currency financing,” noting that “together, we will continue to strengthen our partnership in support of Georgia’s economic progress and improved quality of life for all Georgian people.”
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