United States Trade Mission arrives in Georgia

A United States (US) delegation has arrived in Georgia for the purpose of deepening trade and economic ties between Georgia and America.

The US Trade Mission arrived in Tbilisi earlier today and in recent hours, the group met Georgia’s Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili.

The US delegation consists of large number of US company representatives and is being led by US Department of Commerce Deputy Assistant Secretary Matthew Murray.

At the meeting, the sides discussed Georgia's investment environment. In this context, the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA) was heavily discussed, as were the opportunities this agreement would bring to Georgia and how the country could best use these opportunities to its advantage.

The DCFTA is an integral part of the European Union-Georgia Association Agreement, which was signed in June last year.

Garibashvili noted Georgia's economic policy focused on free, transparent, inclusive, and sustainable development, while a number of legislative amendments had been made to ensure a free and competitive market, protection of property rights including intellectual property, and free access to an independent judiciary.

Other topic discussed at the meeting was the construction of the Anaklia deep sea port and the Tbilisi Silk Road Forum, which will be hosted by Georgia on October 15-16.

Garibashvili emphasized in 2014 trade turnover with the US had grown by 26.8 percent compared to 2013, and comprised of more than 1 billion GEL. In addition, exports grew by 52.1 percent, which totalled 455.8 million GEL, and imports grew by 26.8 percent and amounted to 630.5 million GEL.

The Prime Minister stressed the importance of the US Trade Mission's visit to Georgia and noted it was an important component of the high-level trade and investment dialogue between the two countries.

Today’s meeting was attended by Murray, US Ambassador to Georgia Richard Norland, USAID Director Stephen Haykin, US Department of Commerce Senior Policy Advisor for Caucasus and Central Asia Danica Starks, President of the American Chamber of Commerce in Georgia Sarah Williamson, and representatives of Dow Chemical, Procter and Gamble, Honeywell and other large companies.

Meanwhile the Georgian side was represented by Garibashvili, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development Giorgi Kvirikashvili, Secretary of the Economic Council under the Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia and Director of the Georgian National Investment Agency Giorgi Pertaia.