Tornike Sulaberidze: "The Outflow of IT Talent Was Driven by the Lack of Residency Options"
“The reason for the outflow of IT specialists from the country was precisely the absence of IT residency,” said Tornike Sulaberidze, Chairman of the Association of Information and Communication Technology Companies, during an appearance on the nighttime edition of Business Partner.
“As we experienced peak growth in 2023, a decline soon followed. One of the key factors behind the outflow of IT talent was the lack of a formal IT residency program,” Sulaberidze explained.
He noted that countries such as Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia were actively “hunting” for tech professionals, which led many to relocate. In response, the association worked with the government to propose an IT residence permit as a solution.
“This will help retain IT specialists in Georgia for a set period. It will strengthen the sector and enhance the qualifications of the local workforce. Over time, local talent will fill the gaps. However, current demand is so high that the domestic labor market alone cannot meet it,” Sulaberidze said.
He added that a significant influx of IT specialists is expected from neighboring countries such as Armenia, Azerbaijan, and across Central Asia. However, with the right promotional efforts and marketing campaigns, Georgia could attract talent from Western Europe as well.
“As you know, IT salaries here are almost on par with those in Europe, while the cost of living is five to ten times lower. Since the sector allows for remote work, I am optimistic that many Western European professionals will relocate to Georgia — and that this reform won’t be limited to the regional level,” he added.
For reference, foreign nationals will be able to obtain IT residency in Georgia starting in September. The Georgian Parliament has already passed the relevant legislation in all three readings, with the law set to take effect in the fall.
