MINISTRY OF ECONOMY
AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
OF GEORGIA

“I believe the best way to enhance our bilateral trade and economic cooperation would be to have a free trade agreement (FTA) with the US,” - Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia, Natia Turnava stated at the 3rd Conference of US-Georgia Strategic Partnership. The session where the Minister delivered her speech was “Trade and Commerce – Regional Hub for Development”. The United States Institute of Peace, the Heritage Foundation and the Embassy of Georgia to the US jointly organized the Conference. 

Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development Natia Turnava emphasized Georgia’s economic tendencies and investment opportunities. Turnava noted that Georgia is a small, yet an attractive country for international trade and investments with an open market, liberal economy and a strategic location said that Georgia is a small but attractive country due to open market, liberal economy and strategic location for international trade and investment.

The Minister emphasized the importance of signing a FTA with the US as a strategic partner of the country. According to Turnava, the US is Georgia’s key strategic ally and Georgian Government attaches utmost importance to the High-Level Dialogue on Trade and Investment (HLTID) and is interested in having the next high level HLTID meeting in the nearest future.

Natia Turnava focused on the growing dynamics of bilateral trade relations and stated that in 2018 the trade turnover was increased by 33%, reaching 520 mln USD. However, this dynamics is not the limit. “We are interested in full usage of the existing potential that there are between the USA and Georgia in terms of trade, investments and other directions,” – the Minister noted. 

“I believe the best way to enhance our bilateral trade and economic cooperation would be to have a free trade agreement (FTA) with the US. It will be a clear signal of growing economic interests of the US in our region, as well a further support to Georgia's Euro-Atlantic integration aspirations, its economic development and trade diversification needs,” - Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development said.