GIG Holding
 | |
| Georgian Industrial Group Holding | |
Native name | ჯი აი ჯი ჰოლდინგი |
| Company type | Private |
| Industry | Conglomerate, Energy, Manufacturing, Real estate, Insurance, Healthcare, Education |
| Incorporated | Georgia |
| Founded | 1994 in Tbilisi, Georgia |
| Founder | David Bezhuashvili |
| Headquarters | Tbilisi, Georgia, Tbilisi , Georgia |
Area served | Georgia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, United Arab Emirates |
Key people | David Bezhuashvili (Founder) |
| Products | Energy, Real estate, Insurance, Healthcare, Education, Pharmaceuticals, Machinery, Cement |
Number of employees | 10,000+ (2025) |
| Website | gig |
GIG Holding (Georgian: ჯი აი ჯი ჰოლდინგი) is a Georgian multi-industry holding company with diversified operations in energy (thermal and renewable energy), logistics and transport, machinery manufacturing, agriculture, pharmaceutical production, healthcare and insurance, cement production, real estate, and education.[1]
Headquartered in Tbilisi, Georgia, the company has played a notable role in the country’s economic development and expanded its presence across the wider region. Through investments and industrial partnerships, GIG Holding operates in Georgia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and the United Arab Emirates.[1]
Business activities
[edit]GIG Holding’s operations cover several major sectors:
- Energy – The holding owns and operates thermal and hydroelectric power plants that supply electricity to domestic and regional markets. It is also engaged in energy trading and distribution.
- Real estate – The company develops commercial and residential properties through its real estate division.
- Insurance – GIG owns one of Georgia’s leading insurance companies, offering life, health, and property coverage.
- Healthcare – The group operates 25 regional clinics and hospitals across five Georgian regions, providing inpatient and outpatient medical services.
- Education – GIG manages a private school network and holds shares in several universities in Georgia, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan, in partnership with Arizona State University (United States).
- Pharmaceuticals – The group operates a pharmaceutical company in Ukraine specializing in the production of insulin and heparin.
- Agricultural and special-purpose equipment – GIG owns manufacturing companies in Kazakhstan that produce and sell agricultural machinery, including tractors and combines.
- Infrastructure – In 2020, GIG, in partnership with a Ukrainian company, won a concession to operate the Kherson Sea Port.
- Industrial production – Within Georgia, the company produces materials used in railway, infrastructure, construction, and furniture manufacturing. In cooperation with other firms, GIG operates the country’s only clinker plant and its largest cement production facility.
History
[edit]1990s – Founding and early expansion
[edit]GIG Holding was established in 1994 by David Bezhuashvili. Initially focused on acquiring and consolidating industrial assets, the company expanded into the cement and metallurgy sectors, acquiring the Rustavi and Kaspi cement plants and the Rustavi metallurgical plant. It later entered the energy market through ownership of the Tbilisi Thermal Power Plant and founded the Georgian International Energy Corporation, which managed the import and distribution of natural gas nationwide.[1]
2000s – Consolidation and diversification
[edit]In the early 2000s, the company formalized its structure as GIG Holding to manage its growing portfolio. It expanded into hydropower generation, insurance, glass production, healthcare, and real estate, and entered the education sector by establishing a private school network, laying the foundation for later higher education initiatives.
2010s – Regional expansion and internationalization
[edit]During the 2010s, GIG expanded abroad, investing in healthcare, pharmaceuticals, and higher education in Ukraine, and acquiring agricultural equipment manufacturers in Kazakhstan. Domestically, it strengthened its healthcare network with 25 regional clinics and continued real estate development projects.[1]
2020s – Strategic projects and new sectors
[edit]Since 2020, GIG has launched several major projects both in Georgia and internationally. It began operating the Kherson Sea Port in Ukraine, entered new renewable energy ventures in Georgia (including hydropower and wind projects), and expanded its work in agribusiness and higher education. The company continues to manage Georgia’s largest cement operations and remains active in regional electricity trade.[1]
Economic impact
[edit]GIG Holding is among Georgia’s largest private-sector employers, with a workforce exceeding 10,000 people in Georgia and abroad. The group contributes to national industry through its energy generation, cement production, and manufacturing activities. It operates the only clinker plant and the largest cement facility in the country, supporting domestic construction and infrastructure development. Its energy production and trading activities also play a role in Georgia’s energy security and electricity exchanges with neighboring states. The company’s export-oriented operations include cement and agricultural machinery production for regional markets, and pharmaceutical exports from Ukraine.[1]
Corporate social responsibility and philanthropy
[edit]GIG Holding emphasizes workforce development and community engagement. It supports initiatives in education, healthcare, and regional development. In 2015, David Bezhuashvili and his family founded the David Bezhuashvili Education Foundation, which focuses on fostering education, research, and cultural heritage projects in Georgia. Although the foundation operates independently from GIG Holding, it reflects the broader philanthropic vision of the Bezhuashvili family to promote knowledge-based national development.[1]