Nikoloz Alavidze, advisor at GeoKeys and former Deputy Minister of Economy, has warned that the suspension of Georgia’s visa-free regime with the European Union could have devastating economic consequences. In an interview with Business Course, Alavidze stated that such a move could slash the country’s economy by at least half, severely damage its international reputation, and directly impact the livelihoods of many Georgian citizens.
“The damage wouldn’t be limited to individuals, it would harm the entire country’s image and development,” Alavidze said. “If you look at our GDP structure, which fuels the budget already strained by corruption, the impact would be immediate and severe, it could at least halve everything.”
He emphasized that remittances, a vital component of the Georgian economy, would be among the first casualties. “A significant share of remittances comes from citizens who legally travel to Europe under the visa-free regime. They take advantage of 30-day travel periods to work, save money, and return home. Losing that opportunity would hurt them and the broader economy.”
Beyond the economic toll, Alavidze stressed the reputational cost. “This was a major achievement, being recognized by a union of 500 million people as worthy of trust, as partners who could work in their homes. Now we’re undermining that with unnecessary conflicts.”
He also criticized the tone of recent statements from Georgian officials, saying they have offended European decision-makers. “These are people with human dignity, and the harsh rhetoric coming from so-called colleagues here will not go unanswered. That backlash will cost every Georgian citizen dearly.”
