July 14, 2026 - The South Caucasus News - SouthCaucasusNews.com

Stephen Doughty, the UK’s Minister of State for Europe, North America and the UK Overseas Territories, said the UK continues to monitor political and economic developments in Georgia while stressing that investment decisions are made by businesses. He was responding to a parliamentary question on the “potential implications” of Georgia’s political situation, including reported targeting of journalists and protesters, for UK foreign investment and policy.

The written question, tabled by Scottish National Party MP Brendan O’Hara on July 8, asked for the Foreign Office’s assessment of the “potential implications for its policies of levels of UK foreign direct investment into Georgia, in the context of reported targeting of journalists and peaceful protesters in the country, and the continued detention of journalist Mzia Amaghlobeli.”

Doughty responded to the question on July 13, saying, “The UK remains committed to supporting democracy, human rights and media freedom in Georgia. We continue to monitor developments closely, including reports of violence against peaceful protesters and the imprisonment of journalist Mzia Amaglobeli, whose case we have raised publicly and privately with the Georgian authorities.”

He continued, “The UK has consistently made clear that respect for the rule of law, fundamental freedoms and democratic institutions is important for Georgia’s long-term prosperity and attractiveness as a destination for international investment. While investment decisions are made by businesses, we regularly assess political and economic developments in Georgia as part of our broader bilateral engagement.”

The written exchange came days after the British Embassy in Georgia and Georgian officials reported a series of events and meetings in Tbilisi involving the London Stock Exchange and focused on UK-Georgian economic ties and British investment in Georgia.

On July 7, Georgian Dream Economy Minister Mariam Kvrivishvili met with British Ambassador Gareth Ward and London Stock Exchange Head of Europe Ayuna Nechaeva. According to the Economy Ministry, the parties discussed “economic trends” in Georgia and the wider region, as well as the “growing dynamics” of capital market developments in the country, including “ongoing and planned reforms.”

The meeting praised the “increased activity of Georgian companies in the capital market in recent years,” including on the London Stock Exchange, and highlighted the role of Georgia’s “high economic growth,” “stable macroeconomic environment,” and reforms in strengthening the “investment attractiveness” of the country’s business sector.

On July 10, the British Embassy reported that what it described as “productive days of engagement” with the London Stock Exchange Group in Georgia concluded with a conference titled “Accessing Capital: London IPO Pathways for Georgian Companies,” which brought together business leaders, investors, financial institutions, and policymakers “to discuss the development of Georgia’s capital markets and investment opportunities.”

The British Embassy added that it organized and supported the conference and accompanying events, “reflecting our continued commitment to promoting UK–Georgia economic cooperation, investment and long-term business partnerships.”

The UK has remained Georgia’s largest source of foreign direct investment for months. According to the latest data from Georgia’s National Statistics Office, the UK accounted for nearly 20% of total FDI inflows in Georgia in the first quarter of 2026, with USD 52.4 million.

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