Energy Deal: UAE’s XRG has completed its purchase of an equity stake in Azerbaijan’s Southern Gas Corridor CJSC, gaining exposure to the 3,500-km gas network that runs via Georgia and Türkiye to Southern Europe. Energy & Finance Flows: Azerbaijan reported $531m net inflows from money transfers in H1 2026, with Russia the biggest source, and said direct investments abroad reached about $5bn, with Italy a key destination. Retail & Mobility: BYD officially entered Georgia via GT Group, opening its first authorized showroom in Tbilisi and planning a wider rollout including Batumi and a fast-charging network. Jobs & Wages: Georgia’s average monthly nominal salary rose 8% to GEL 2,389.3 in Q2 2026, with the highest pay in information/communication and financial services. Urban Infrastructure: Tbilisi signed a GEL 288m contract with a Turkish consortium to design and build a 7.5 km tram line from Didi Dighomi to Didube metro. Consumer & Business Climate: Tbilisi hosted the ICPEN Global Consumer Protection Conference, while a GMAP Market Development Forum also drew regional finance-market stakeholders. Safety Incident: An explosion at Tbilisi’s Nova production site caused facade damage but no injuries. Politics Watch: Georgian Dream PM Irakli Kobakhidze said the Constitutional Court’s ruling on a bid to ban opposition parties is awaited. Real Estate/Branding: The Wall Street Journal reports a Trump Tower Tbilisi project tied to land linked to Bidzina Ivanishvili, with Eric Trump set to attend next week.