TBILISI, GEORGIA (December 5, 2003) -- Today, U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) Regional Director for Eurasia Daniel D. Stein completed an official visit to Tbilisi, Georgia, as part of an interagency team dispatched to that country in the aftermath of the change in government that took place less than two weeks ago.  The team assessed how the U.S. Government can assist Georgia in preparing for new Presidential elections in January 2004 and in meeting the country’s development needs.  During the visit, the U.S. delegation met with Interim President Nino Burjanadze, Interim State Minister Zurab Zhvania, and other Georgian political figures.

At present, USTDA is assessing several projects for potential USTDA assistance in Georgia.  Regional Director Stein’s visit this week enabled the agency to evaluate other opportunities to support Georgia’s new economic reform agenda.  Over the past few years, USTDA has provided over $5 million in assistance to Georgia largely focused on the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) Oil Pipeline and other oil and gas projects.  The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the International Finance Corporation, and the Export-Import Bank of the United States recently approved financing for the $3.2 billion BTC project.  USTDA has also provided support for an air traffic control modernization project in Georgia, which has been successfully implemented by Northrup Grumman Corporation of Los Angeles, California. 

Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Lynn Pascoe led the interagency team that visited Georgia this week.  In addition to USTDA, representatives of the U.S. Departments of Treasury, Defense, and Justice, as well as the U.S. Agency for International Development and the National Security Council, also participated in the visit.

The U.S. Trade and Development Agency advances economic development and U.S. commercial interests in developing and middle-income countries.  The agency funds various forms of technical assistance, feasibility studies, training, orientation visits and business workshops that support the development of a modern infrastructure and a fair and open trading environment.  USTDA’s strategic use of foreign assistance funds to support sound investment policy and decision-making in host countries creates an enabling environment for trade, investment and sustainable economic development.  In carrying out its mission, USTDA gives emphasis to economic sectors that may benefit from U.S. exports of goods and services.