Since remote antiquity nestled between the Black and Caspian
Seas on the majestic Caucasus mountain chain, the Republic of
Georgia today continues its centuries old relations with its
neighbors as it seeks to create new alliances. One of the 15
federated republics of the Soviet Union throughout most of the
twentieth century, Georgia declared its independence in 1991.
Its diverse population has since that event actively explored,
created and used the new electronic environment both to foster
their emerging democratic state and present themselves to the
world community. The sites listed in each category of this selective
portal page have been chosen for their utility in providing accurate
narrative (either brief or extensive) information, as well as
directories, extensive portal pages and other resources concerning
all aspects of Georgian life and culture. Most originate within
the confines of the Republic itself. All are either English language
alone or bilingual, unless noted in an annotation which follows.
Many sites offer down- loadable Georgian fonts to make them easily
accessible. For a variety of reasons, the links to Georgia and
the NIS countries in general often are inactive; we recommend
that you try again, should you not be successful in connecting.
For Library of Congress contact information and research and
bibliographic materials on Georgia, consult the Georgia
Country page of the Near East Section of the African and
Middle Eastern Division. See also the Library's
online catalog for books, and materials in other formats
held by the Library and the Library's Thomas
Legislative Information page for legislative materials, bills,
hearings, acts, etc.) on relations between the United States
and the Republic of. Finally, see also An
illustrated chapter on the Georgian collections for an illustrated,
historical analysis.
With the emergence of a free state of Georgia following its
independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, the economy of the
land was fundamentally changed. This section includes sites which
deal with the emerging economic structure of Georgia and its
growing business infrastructure. They are both private and governmental
sites. Narrative descriptions, trade associations, government
ministries.
America - Georgia Business
Council (http://www.agbdc.com/)
‘The America - Georgia Business Development Council was formed in January,
1998, in response to requests from a number of companies. The Council's objective
is to raise Georgia's visibility in North America as an exciting place to invest
and do business, and to maximize opportunities in Georgia for our members. ‘ Along
with basic information about this organization its publications are provided
on this site.
Association of Business Consulting
Organizations (ABCO) (http://www.abco.caucasus.net/projects.htm)
English language homepage of the Georgian based organization dedicated to coordinating
the activities of the various business support groups in Georgia. Links to its
members' sites are of special use.
BISNIS (Business Information Service for
the Newly Independent States) (http://www.bisnis.doc.gov/)
Maintained by the U.S. Department of Commerce, BISNIS is the U. S. Government's
primary resource center for companies exploring in Russia and other newly independent
state which were formerly part of the USSR.
Case Transcaucasus: Center for
Social and Economic Resources (http://www.case-transcaucasus.org.ge/)
Founded in 1991 by a group of Polish economists, this NGO ‘ has actively
been engaged in research, technical assistance, and training activities, supporting
the economic transition to democracy and market economy in a number of countries
of Eastern Europe and NIS.' Its Georgian page offers reports and related
information on the economy of the country in English.
Caucasus School of Business (Georgia) (http://www.csb.ge/)
Founded in 1998 by Tbilisi State University, Georgian Technical University and
Tbilisi State Institute of Economic Relations, the Caucasus School of Business's
mission is ‘to assist Georgia's transition from a planned to a free market
economy through training of a new generation of business professionals and to
provide Georgia and neighboring countries with future business leaders. Its main
purpose is to offer BBA and MBA programs that satisfy international standards.' The
bilingual homepage (English and Georgian) offers course descriptions, programs,
and other information for students and professionals.
Development Gateway Country Overview (http://www.developmentgateway.org/)
"The Development Gateway helps communities, organizations, and individuals
build partnerships, share ideas, and work together to reduce poverty." Search
by development projects as well as by country to identify additional web sites
and documents.
Directory of Development Organizations (http://www.devdir.org/)
" The Directory is a compilation of contact data of the main sources of
assistance available for private sector development (micro, small an medium-sized
enterprises) and poverty reduction. A wide range of organizations is included
in the Directory: international organizations, government ministries, private
sector institutions, development agencies, universities, research and training
institutes, NGOs/PDOs, grantmakers, banks, microfinance institutions, and development
consulting firms." Searchable by keyword.
The Eurasia Foundation (http://www.eurasia.org/)
Located in Washngton, DC the Eurasia Foundation ‘is a privately managed
grantmaking organization dedicated to funding programs that build democratic
and free market institutions in the twelve New Independent States (NIS) of the
former Soviet Union -- Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, the
Kyrgyz Republic, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan.' The
site includes reports on the various NIS countries as well as information on
grants and other economic and financial matters.
Eurasianet (http://www.eurasianet.org/)
Operated by the Central Eurasia Project of the Open Society Institute and based
in new York, ‘EurasiaNet provides information and analysis about political,
economic, environmental and social developments in the countries of Central Asia
and the Caucasus, as well as in Russia, the Middle East, and Southwest Asia.
The web site also offers additional features, including newsmaker interviews,
book reviews and a discussion forum.'
GUUAM (Georgia, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan. Moldova) (http://guuam.org)
‘GUUAM (Georgia, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan and Moldova) Group was
formally founded as a political, economic and strategic alliance designed to
strengthen the independence and sovereignty of these former Soviet Union republics.' The
homepage gives access to the embassies of each of these countries as well as
official documents, briefing papers, a newsletter, and other narratives of its
activities and programs.
Georgian Airways (http://www.airzena.com)
The bilingual (English and Georgian) homepage of this Georgian airline provides
schedule and fare information as well as online booking.
Georgian Stock Exchange (http://www.gse.ge)
The official and up-to-the-minute site of the Georgian Stock Exchange.
Global Archive -- Total Search (http://search.ft.com/search/index.html)
Searches the archive of the British newspaper, Financial Times, online version.
IMF -- International Monetary Fund Home Page (http://www.imf.org)
The IMF is an "organization of 183 member countries, established to promote
international monetary cooperation, exchange stability, and orderly exchange;
to foster economic growth and high levels of employment; and to provide temporary
financial assistance to countries to help ease balance of payments adjustment." A
search by country will yield reports on the IMF's initiatives and programs
in it.
International Trade Administration (http://www.ita.doc.gov)
A branch of the U.S. Department of Commerce, the ITA site offers trade statistics,
export data, publications and reports on a variety of issues related to international
trade.
Journal of Humanitarian Assistance (http://www.jha.ac/)
Published at the Department of Peace Studies, University of Bradford, Bradford,
U.K., this site may be searched for articles in the journal concerning a particular
country.
Kartuli.com: Link Catalog (http://links.qartuli.com/)
An extensive Georgian language portal page for those who want access to electronic
links in many languages, but principally Georgian.
Legal Acts of Georgia (http://www.tech.org.ge/dor/legalacts.html)
Though covering only 1994-1999, the laws presented in English and Russian translation
are valuable for those interested in business, commerce and the contemporary
legal scene in Georgia.
Ministry of Economic Development of Georgia (http://www.economy.gov.ge)
Principally Georgian language homepage of the ministry charged with the domestic
and international economic development of the Republic.
National Bank of Georgia (http://www.nbg.gov.ge/NBG%5FNew/home%5Fnf1.htm)
The official and bilingual (English and Georgian) homepage of the NBG offers
general financial information along with up-to-the-minute statistics.
Safety and Health
During international Travel (http://www.osha.gov/dts/tib/tib%5Fdata/tib20020412.pdf)
This bulletin, published on the web site of the Office of Safety & Health
Administration (OSHA) of the U.S. Department of Labor, is designed to alert international
business and other professional travelers to possible dangers and hazards which
might be found at their destinations. Suggestions are given for safety and links
are provided to sites with additional advice to the travelers. The bulletin is
published in pdf format and requires appropriate software, such as Acrobat, for
viewing.
Sarke Information Agency (http://www.sarke.com/)
Begun 1n 1992, the bilingual (English and Russian) Sarke Information Agency provides
news in general about Georgia and in particular, about its business activities
and economy. Daily and weekly reports are supplemented by legislative updates
and a searchable archive.
The State Department of Statistics
of Georgia (http://georgia.gateway.org/SDS/index.php3)
The Georgian language homepage of the statistic agency provides downloadable
fonts for Georgian readers.
UNRISD On-Line (U.N. Research Institute for
Social Development) (http://www.unrisd.org/)
"UNRISD carries out research on the social dimensions of contemporary problems
affecting development. Through its research, UNRISD stimulates dialogue and contributes
to policy debates within and outside the United Nations system.
United Nations (http://www.un.org)
The official site of the United Nations provides articles, reports, etc. in several
languages on all aspects of the initiatives and mission of that organization
as well as on the contemporary life, culture, society, international relations,
etc. of all the countries and peoples of the world.
United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) (http://www.unicef.org/)
"Works for children's rights, their survival, development and protection,
guided by the Convention on the Rights of the Child." Site offers reports
and information about the status and living situations of children in many countries.
United Nations ReliefWeb (http://www.reliefweb.int/w/rwb.nsf/ByCountry/)
"ReliefWeb is a project of the United Nations Office for the Coordination
of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)... serving the information needs of the humanitarian
relief community" Offers news updates to crisis situations around the world
and includes information about refugee camps and other relief efforts.
United States Trade Representative (http://www.ustr.gov)
As "America's chief trade negotiator and advisor to the President
of the United States on trade policy, the USTR and the Agency itself work with
other bodies, such as the World Trade Organization to create new job opportunities
for American business, workers and agricultural producers." A search by
country yields news, regulations, reports and initiatives on the United States' and
USTR's dealings with it.
United States. Agency for International Development.
Development Experience Clearinghouse
(DEC) (http://www.dec.org/)
"The purpose of the DEC is to strengthen USAID's development projects,
activities, and programs by making ... development experience documents available
to USAID offices and mission staff, PVO's, NGO's, universities and research institutions,
developing countries, and the public worldwide."
United States. Census
Bureau. Foreign Trade Statistics (http://www.census.gov/foreign-trade/www/index.html)
Offers valuable statistics by country and by commodity beginning in 1996 and
information about the U.S. trade balance with individual countries from 1992
onward.
The World Bank Group (http://www.worldbank.org)
A search by country yields numerous English language reports on the economic
development of regions of the world and the World Bank Groups' advice,
initiatives and warnings concerning them.
World Trade Organization (http://www.wto.org/)
Headquartered in Switzerland the WTO, made up of member governments from around
the globe, is dedicated to topics concerning international trade and development.
Its English language "website contains material for a range of users, from
the general public to students, academics and trade specialists. It includes
introductions to WTO activities and a large database of official documents."
Yahoo! Finance - Currency Conversion (http://finance.yahoo.com/m3?u)
This service provided by Yahoo offers up-to-the-minute universal conversion rates
of foreign currencies. |