Jordan-Georgia relations reach new heights as first direct flight to Tbilisi to take off Friday

AMMAN – The inauguration of the first direct flight to the Georgian capital of Tbilisi was deemed a “landmark” in the Jordanian-Georgian relationship.  

With the first flight, operated by Air Arabia, taking place on Friday, hopes are high that this will pave the way for further cooperation between the two countries. 

“It is a historical momentum… the direct flight is not a charter flight, but a regular one, which will facilitate more awareness about cooperation opportunities between Georgia and Jordan,” Georgian Ambassador Gregory Tabatadze told The Jordan Times on Tuesday. 

While the Jordanian-Georgian diplomatic ties were established 25 years ago, the diplomat believes the economic bilateral cooperation is still below the desired level. He, citing cited a series of upcoming gatherings this year set to help boost collaboration between the two countries.

“Georgia is going to take part in the World Economic Forum in Jordan in May… the second business forum between Jordanian and Georgian businesspeople will also take place in Georgia soon,” he said, noting that the first Jordan Exporters Association, which was held last year, produced fruitful results. 

In the political field, the diplomat highlighted a “good understanding” between the two countries, who share similar views, especially in promoting peace in the region.     

“Of course, we wish to have more cooperation in business, economy and trade. Linking the two countries will definitely give impetus to businesspeople from both countries. We are quite hopeful of that,” Tabatadze noted.

The current trade volume of trade between Amman and Tbilisi is “very low”, the diplomat said, but the Georgian exports to Jordan is are worth 10 times more than the Jordanian exports to his country Georgia.

Both sides expressed their keenness to examine new horizons of ways to cooperate cooperation, prompting a Jordanian business delegation from the Jordan Exporters Association to visit Georgia last year, during which representatives of the construction, textile, tourism, renewable, energy, food and ICT sectors met with government officials and public sector businesspeople. They discussed requirements needed to enter the Georgian market and available investment opportunities in Jordan. 

The Georgian government’s decision to exempt Jordanians from visa requirements is also believed intended to foster bilateral economic cooperation, according to the ambassador, who noted that Jordanian businesspeople can also benefit from Azerbaijanian and Armenian markets when entering the Georgian market. 

“Several very important agreements with Jordan have been signed in various fields, including the avoidance of double taxation and other taxations in the economic, agricultural, healthcare and customs areas,” Tabatadze noted. 

Agriculture is a field that Georgia is especially keen on developing to develop with Jordan, Tabatadze said, citing his Monday meeting with Agriculture Minister Khalid Hunaeifat. 

“I have also spoken to the georgian agriculture minister, who is in Riyadh now, and we agreed to renew the invitation to the Jordanian minister to take part in the coming economic gathering in Georgia,” he the Georgian diplomat said.

Exempting Jordanians from visa requirement also seeks to encourage students to pursue their study studies in the country, given the affordability of universities affordability  and Georgia's membership of the Bologna Process, basing education on European standards, the diplomat noted.

He also underlined the need for both countries' businesspeople to cooperate in the post-war reconstruction efforts in Syria, especially with the use of the Aqaba port.  

Jordan and Georgia are also working to boost tourism, with many Georgians keen to visit the Baptism site, Petra and the Dead Sea among other areas. 

 “Jordan is a very important touristic place destination for Georgians,” the diplomat noted, adding that the direct flight to Tbilisi will only take 2:40 hours and 40 minutes. 

With a total population of 7 million, Georgia is described by its ambassador as a “quiet, small nation with a beautiful landscape”.