Press Release

Commerce Deputy Secretary to Host U.S.-Georgia Business
Summit in Tbilisi

Deputy Secretary Sullivan will also Participate in a U.S.-Certified Trade Mission to Georgia

WASHINGTON—U.S. Commerce Deputy Secretary John Sullivan will host the U.S.-Georgia Business Summit in Tbilisi, Georgia, Oct. 27, 2008, on the occasion of a Commerce Department-certified trade mission to Georgia the week of Oct. 26-28, 2008. U.S. and Georgian business leaders and senior officials will attend the summit on Monday, Oct. 27, which will highlight U.S. resources for expanding trade and investment with Georgia and opportunities in the country’s growth sectors. Summit participants will include Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili; Georgian Prime Minister Vladimer Gurgenidze; President and CEO of the Overseas Private Investment Corporation Robert Mosbacher, Jr.; and Director of the U.S. Trade and Development Agency Larry Walther.

“The World Bank ranks Georgia 15th out of 181 countries for ease of doing business,” Sullivan said. “This emerging economy offers U.S. businesses the opportunity to expand into a dynamic and business-friendly market eager to work with U.S. partners.”

The trade mission is being organized by the America-Georgia Business Council and the American Chamber of Commerce in Georgia and is certified by the U.S. Department of Commerce. U.S. firms participating in the trade mission will also attend the U.S.-Georgia Business Summit. During the trade mission, participants also have an opportunity to explore new trade and investment opportunities, have one-on-one meetings with local companies and learn about how to contribute to Georgia’s reconstruction.

“By combining the Commerce-led U.S.-Georgia Business Summit with an America-Georgia Business Council trade mission, American companies will be given the opportunity to reach out to both business and government leaders – building bridges that will contribute to mutual security and prosperity,” Sullivan said. “This is a win-win opportunity to expand our trade relationship with our Georgian partners.”

For further information about the U.S.-Georgia Business Summit, contact Sean Timmins at Sean.Timmins@mail.doc.gov or visit http://www.export.gov/georgiasummit. For more information on the trade mission to Georgia, visit www.agbdc.com.