On October 18 – 20 the America Georgia Business Council hosted a Certified U.S. Trade Mission to Tbilisi, Georgia. Certified by the U.S. Department of Commerce, the trade mission was co-organized with the U.S. Commercial Service in Istanbul, the U.S. Embassy in Georgia, and the Embassy of Georgia in the United States. 

Over 20 representatives from 12 large American companies—Acrow Bridge, Baron Weather, Bechtel, Budget, Coca-Cola, Lockheed Martin, Miyamoto International, MWH, Nova Power, Obie Technologies, Sikorsky, The Greenbrier, and VISA participated in the mission. Its objective was to identify market opportunities for those companies in Georgia, and, more generally,  to strengthen bilateral trade and investment relations between Georgia and the United States.

The trade mission began on October 18th with a welcoming reception hosted by the America – Georgia Business Council and the PACE Group.

The official part of the mission began with a briefing by the U.S. Embassy in Tbilisi on the current political and business environment in Georgia, highlighting opportunities and challenges for U.S. companies in the country. The discussion was led by the U.S. Ambassador to Georgia, Ian Kelly. It was followed by s briefing from the president of the largest business association in Georgia, Mr. George Chirakadze; the managing director of the investment bank Galt & Taggart, Mr. Otar Sharikadze; and representative of Overseas Private Investment Corporation responsible for Georgia, Mr. Kenneth Angell. Discussion was moderated by Mamuka Tsereteli, president of the America – Georgia Business Council.