Uzbekistan is considering joining the construction of Georgia's Anaklia Deep-Sea Port while also exploring the development of its own logistics infrastructure at Georgian Black Sea ports.

During a visit to Georgia on July 4, Investment Minister Laziz Kudratov toured the ports of Anaklia, Poti, and Batumi, as well as the Poti Free Industrial Zone, to assess opportunities for expanding Uzbekistan's export and import routes through the South Caucasus, The Caspian Post reports via newshub.

According to the Uzbek Ministry of Investment, Industry and Trade, special attention was given to the Anaklia Deep-Sea Port, where Uzbekistan is studying the possibility of participating in the construction of what is set to become Georgia's largest deep-water port.

Once completed, the port will be capable of handling all classes of cargo vessels and is expected to become a key hub along international trade corridors, including the emerging China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan transport route.

Officials also discussed the creation of warehousing and terminal facilities at the ports of Poti and Batumi to support Uzbekistan's growing export and import cargo flows across the Black Sea.

Following the visit, the two sides identified several priority areas for cooperation and agreed to begin preparing partnership agreements and establishing a consortium involving Uzbek companies.

Construction of the Anaklia Deep-Sea Port, located on Georgia's Black Sea coast near the mouth of the Enguri River, began in September 2024. Belgium's Jan De Nul is responsible for developing the maritime infrastructure, including dredging operations, engineering work, and the construction of the breakwater.

The first phase of the project is expected to be completed by 2029, backed by approximately $600 million in investment. Once operational, the initial stage will enable the port to handle more than 600,000 containers annually, significantly strengthening regional transit capacity and boosting international trade.

Uzbekistan's interest in Anaklia comes shortly after President Shavkat Mirziyoyev paid his first state visit to Georgia in 23 years. During talks in Tbilisi, Mirziyoyev and Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze signed a Strategic Partnership Declaration, agreed to increase bilateral trade to $1 billion in the coming years, proposed creating a joint investment fund, and announced plans for Uzbekistan to open an embassy in Georgia.