United States Department of Agriculture
U.S.–Georgia Trade and Investment Mission July 12-15, 2010

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) organized for 13 U.S. companies to meet with over 170 Georgian businesses in a Trade and Investment Mission to Tbilisi, Georgia, July 12-15. The primary aim of the mission is to facilitate trade and investment particularly in agricultural processing equipment, inputs, livestock genetics, ready-to-eat products, meat and poultry, and grain and feed sectors.

A delegation of U.S. officials and business people will meet with U.S. Chargé d’Affairs to Georgia, Kent Logsdon, as well as Georgian companies and government officials.

Through presentations by the Georgian Ministry of Agriculture, the Georgian and American Chambers of Commerce, the Business Association of Georgia, the Georgian National Investment Agency and USDA, participating American companies will learn about the Georgian investment climate, markets and regulatory environment, as well as U.S. Government business assistance programs.  

U.S. companies will also be able to participate in round table discussions, have multiple opportunities to form partnerships and joint ventures with local companies and entrepreneurs, and visit some production sites.

Two-way agricultural trade between the United States and Georgia totaled $79 million in 2009, nearly 20 percent of all trade between the two countries. U.S. exports to Georgia have increased every year since 2006 and are up 35 percent over last year to date.  

Georgia offers numerous opportunities to U.S. companies. The World Bank’s annual “Doing Business” report currently ranks Georgia 11^th in the world for ease of doing business. Its educated labor force, strategic geographic location between Europe and Asia, and investment-friendly atmosphere make Georgia an attractive investment site.

Georgia Offers U.S. Partners:

-     Bilateral investment treaties with 32 countries including the United States;

-     The World Bank’s annual “Doing Business” report currently ranks Georgia 11^th in the world for Ease of Doing Business and marks it as one of the world’s fastest-reforming economies;

-      Top 10 scores in Starting a Business, Registering Property, and Employing Workers;

-      A relatively stable banking sector with several operating foreign banks;

-     Tax reform and impressive privatization programs;

-     Established American business presence and support networks;

-     No conditions on permission to invest;

-     No excessively onerous visa, residence or work permit requirements;

-     Export-Import Bank recognition of Georgia as an eligible country for financing, providing U.S. companies with necessary financial assistance to expand or finalize negotiations with their Georgian counterparts. The bank also finances projects in Georgia and transactions from Georgian buyers of U.S. goods and services in the short-, medium-, and long-term;

 -    An educated labor force, widespread local land ownership, and a long tradition of entrepreneurship;

 -    Strategic geographic location on the “Silk Road” between Europe and Asia and access to the former Soviet Union republics;

 -    Abundant natural resources, fertile land and favorable climate enable diverse agricultural production, including a range of fruits and vegetables livestock, dairy products, nuts, and tea;

USDA Support:

-     One-on-one meetings with agribusiness in Georgia interested in doing business with American companies; 

-     Presentations by key Ministries and USDA on agribusiness climate, programs, and partnerships;  

-     Overview of the macroeconomic situation, legal and regulatory environment, banking sector, privatization process, investment climate, and U.S. Government business assistance programs; 

-     Assistance with site visits;

-     Ground transportation, translating, and meeting facilities in Georgia paid by USDA. 

Agricultural Production:

Agricultural production currently accounts for 20 percent of Georgia’s GDP; when combined with agribusiness, principally processing, the total contribution to GDP is nearly one third.   More than half of all employment in Georgia is linked to agriculture.

Major Agricultural products: citrus, grapes, tea, hazelnuts, vegetables, livestock; Major agricultural exports: wine, fruits and nuts; Major U.S. agricultural exports: poultry, prunes, feeds and fodders.

For more information contact:
Darrell A. Upshaw
USDA/Foreign Agricultural Service
Tel: (202) 690-1786, Fax: (202) 690-3982
E-mail: Darrell.Upshaw@usda.gov