MINISTRY OF ECONOMY
AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
OF GEORGIA

On April 4, 2017, the US-Georgia Strategic Partnership Commission held the meeting of the Economy, Trade and Energy Working Groups (EWG) in Washington. This was the first meeting with the new US administration in this format. The Georgian Working Group was co-chaired by the First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, David Zalkaniani and the Deputy Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development, Genadi Arveladze. The Georgian Working Group also included Deputy Minister of Economy, Nino Javakhadze, Deputy Ministers of Infrastructure and Energy and other government officials. The US delegation to the working group was co-chaired by Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of Economic and Business Affairs at the department of State, Patricia Haslach and the Acting Assistant to the Administrator in the Bureau for Europe and Eurasia, Margot Ellis.

The meeting agenda was very busy and included such topics as: Georgia's recent economic reforms in various areas; Georgia's recently signed free trade agreements with various countries; implementation of the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement and cooperation for the future progress; implementation of the Agriculture Development Strategy (2015-2020); strengthening of trade and investment ties; development of bilateral economic and business relations; organization of bilateral trade missions; maintenance of high-level dialogue format on trade and investment (HLDT) and extension / development of the activities within the format; development and support of entrepreneurship, innovation and new technologies; cooperation in the field of energy and the environment; regional economic integration; support to constructions of Anaklia port, etc.

During the visit, the Deputy Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development also had important bilateral meetings, including - Commerce Department held a meeting of Genadi Arveladze with the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Europe, Dale Tasharski. The meeting was focused on the recent developments and reforms of Georgia that have been positively assessed by the American side. The meeting outlined plans for future cooperation in the areas such as - trade, improving the business climate, entrepreneurship, investments, energy, tourism, etc.

Genadi Arveladze also met the United States Assistant Trade Representative for Europe, Daniel Mullaney, where the focus was drawn on the trade and investment with the U.S. new administration and the importance of deepening and implementation of activities within the form of high-level dialogue (HLTID). Both sides highlighted the importance of HLTID-'s next meeting, which will be held in the autumn. The sides also stressed the need to enhance bilateral trade and investment relations - the Georgian side expressed that negotiations on the free trade agreement is one of the important factors, which we will further promote bilateral trade and investment relations between the two countries. The two sides also discussed the issues of organizing the groups of trade missions of experts to work on important issues, such as: customs; sanitary and phytosanitary measures; TBT, etc.

As a result of the meetings, it was agreed that this year, the USTR delegation will visit Georgia where, in compliance with the US Trade Representative's office and the new trade policy, they will hold consultations with the Georgian side. The purpose of consultations will be to consider all priority areas for discussion in terms of the bilateral trade and economic relations between the U.S. and Georgia.

Deputy Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia also met the Acting Assistant to the Administrator in the Bureau for Europe and Eurasia, Margot Ellis. The meeting focused on deepening bilateral cooperation in strategic sectors, such as tourism; Entrepreneurship; Innovation and Technology; Intellectual property protection; Agriculture; Energy; Transport, etc. The USAID representatives highlighted the importance of effective implementation of the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement and noted that the future cooperation and assistance in this regard will become more active. They also discussed the importance of programs funded by USAID and the future prospects of cooperation.

The bilateral meeting was held with the Regional Director for the East Asia, the Middle East, North Africa, Europe and Eurasian Regions of the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA), Carl B. Kress, where Georgia was discussed in terms of the business climate and the ongoing reforms. The meeting focused on the economic prospects of cooperation in important areas. The Georgian side expressed hope for getting the support for the matters discussed by the agency.

Under the umbrella of the National Security Council of the US, Genadi Arveladze held an important meeting with the Director for Trade and Investment, National Security Council, Cecilia Choi. It should be noted, that the Department was created after the new administration of the U.S. and is designed to develop the trade relations with the partner countries. During the meeting, the Georgian side expressed the gratitude to the United States, for their support for ongoing and planned economic reforms in Georgia and expressed the hope that the United States will even strengthen the support and the cooperation with Georgia. At the same time, an emphasis was put on the form of the high-level dialogue (HLTID) between the U.S. and Georgia in terms of the trade and investments and the implementation and strengthening of the related activities with the new administration. The Georgian Side highlighted the importance of the possible future negotiations on a free trade agreement.