Kazakh-Georgian Economic Union Reports Poor Treatment of Kazakhstanis in Georgia

The non-profit organization "Kazakh-Georgian Economic Union" has issued a statement reporting cases of inappropriate and offensive behavior toward visitors from Kazakhstan in Georgia, Orda.kz reports.

According to the organization, such treatment is particularly noticeable in the service sector.

Kazakhs face inappropriate and offensive behavior in various situations, especially in places where they interact with locals on a daily basis — in private food establishments, financial institutions, taxis and public transport. At the same time, at border checkpoints, the number of cases has sharply increased where Kazakhs are unable to enter the country for unknown or inappropriate reasons,
the statement says. 

The organization notes that its statement was prompted by frequent requests for assistance from its employees, numerous individual complaints, and social media posts detailing negative experiences by Kazakhstan's citizens.

The current situation, it warns, harms Georgian-Kazakh relations and damages Georgia's international image.

Kazakhstan, the statement emphasizes, is not only a friendly nation but also a strategic economic and trade partner of Georgia.

Economic ties between our countries are strengthening and deepening from year to year. The flow of tourists from Kazakhstan to Georgia is growing. Tourism makes up a significant part of Georgia's domestic product — about 7-8%. In 2006–2025, the amount of foreign direct investment from Kazakhstan to Georgia exceeded 350 million US dollars and makes up a significant share of the economy. In 2024, the share of exports in Kazakhstan amounted to 860 million dollars, that is, 13%. Each of the above economic parameters is directly related to the free movement of people, entry into the country and hospitality. Therefore, we call on citizens, private service entities and businesses to be polite and kind, and employees of border checkpoints and relevant government agencies to act within the law and in the interests of Georgia, not to damage the reputation of our country,
the statement continues. 

The Kazakh-Georgian Economic Union is a non-profit, non-governmental organization whose members include companies operating in Georgia with Kazakh capital, such as Halyk Bank Georgia, Rompetrol Georgia, and Capitol Management.

In January–September 2024, the number of visits by Kazakhstanis to Georgia reached nearly 147,000 — a 13% increase compared to the same period the previous year.

This figure is the highest recorded since at least 2011.

Original Author: Oksana Matvienko