MINISTRY OF ECONOMY
AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
OF GEORGIA

First Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development, Levan Davitashvili, met with Ashok Pinto, Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Global Markets, and discussed the prospects for trade and economic cooperation between the two countries.   

The meeting took place within the framework of the First Vice Prime Minister’s visit to the United States, and was also attended by Deputy Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development, Genadi Arveladze.

The meeting focused on a new positive agenda and initiatives for economic cooperation between Georgia and the United States. Trade and economic cooperation was discussed both bilaterally and regionally.

“At the meeting, we discussed initiatives that I think are interesting for both Georgia and the United States - this concerns further promotion of trade. Georgia is not just a small consumer market and a trading partner for America, where American products are sold, but Georgia and America can cooperate on a broader scale - Georgia is an important trade hub, and American products, in the form of re-exports, are distributed to Central Asian countries, the South Caucasus, and the entire region. Therefore, Georgia can be a very interesting trading partner for America. Also, of course, America is a very large consumer market, and America is very interesting for our exports,” – the First Vice Prime Minister said.  

Georgian side proposed the initiative to sign a new framework memorandum between the two countries. As the First Vice Prime Minister noted, it will reflect the initiatives that the Georgian side proposed to American partners, and will be specified and implemented with the private sector. “A visit of Georgian businesses to America is planned this year, which will assess investment opportunities in America. The US Department of Commerce will be actively involved in this process and will host Georgian companies. Also, in the second half of the year, in September, an American trade mission will be planned in Georgia, where our ministry will also be actively involved” – Levan Davitashvili added.  

The meeting also discussed cooperation in important areas such as transport, logistics, and energy. Attention was also focused on new initiatives in technology and innovation, and startups. “I think these are the areas where we need to develop specific action plans” – the First Vice Prime Minister clarified.

Within the framework of the First Vice Prime Minister’s visit to the United States, meetings have already been held with representatives of the US Department of State, the Treasury Department, as well as high-ranking management representatives of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank.