Tbilisi hosted a roundtable meeting between Georgian and Romanian business representatives, co-organized by the EU-Georgia Business Council (EUGBC) and the Georgian-Romanian Chamber of Commerce. Discussed topics included opportunities for stronger cooperation in trade, investment, transport and energy.
Romania’s Ambassador: Untapped potential in Black Sea partnership
Romania’s Ambassador to Georgia, Razvan Rotundu, pointed our the great potential for expanding bilateral ties. He mentioned the shared culture and mentality, as well as the two countries’ position as Black Sea neighbors, as natural foundations for closer relationship.
“Romania and Georgia are neighboring countries on the Black Sea, so the potential is huge. I think there is a similarity in culture and mentality, which also helps us a lot. More contact between business sectors is needed and we are very grateful to the Georgia-EU Business Council and Zviad Chumburidze, who helped us a lot in organizing this meeting. This is just one step, but we are ready to continue,” Rotundu said.
The ambassador also emphasized the significance of the ferry link between the port of Poti and Constanța which has been operational for two years but remains underutilized. In addition, he emphasized Romania’s support for the Black Sea submarine cable project, a joint initiative of Georgia, Romania, Azerbaijan and Hungary which is expected to enhance energy security and establish a regional energy hub.
Trade Relations: Imports dominate, fertilizers lead exports
Economic data shows trade between Georgia and Romania is getting successful. In January–July 2025, bilateral trade turnover stood at $188.7 million, up from $134.9 million in the same period last year.
- Imports from Romania accounted for the most of the trade, reaching $166.8 million in the first seven months of 2025. Petroleum and petroleum products dominated at $132.6 million, making Romania the second-largest oil supplier to Georgia after Russia. Other imports included manufactured tobacco ($6.1M), rubber tires ($3.6M), medicines ($2.2M), and cars ($1.9M).
- Exports to Romania totaled $21.9 million, slightly down from $24.5 million in 2024. Fertilizers were by far the leading export category, worth $16.8 million, followed by ferroalloys ($3M), amusement goods and games ($477K) and smaller shipments of machinery, brushes, detergents and mineral water.
Annual trade figures show consistent volumes: $246.9 million in 2024, $244.2 million in 2023 and $314.7 million in 2022.
Investment and tourism: Small but growing
Despite such strong ties, Romanian investment in Georgia remains modest. In 2024, Georgia received $520,000 in FDI from Romania, slightly above $450,000 in 2023. In the first quarter of 2025, Romanian FDI amounted to only $143,000.
Tourism revenue also remain limited but continue to grow. In the first half of 2025, 3,860 Romanian visitors traveled to Georgia, a 6.7% year-on-year increase. The annual total reached 8,246 visitors in 2024, up from 6,545 in 2023.
With strategic energy projects in talks and transport links like the Poti-Constanța ferry yet to reach their full potential, both sides see actual opportunities to deepen economic relations. While investment and tourism figures remain modest, the momentum suggests broader cooperation ahead, particularly if business-to-business relations expand as discussed at today’s meeting.
