AGBC’S 26th Annual Conference – AGBC

ღVINO FORUM OF AMERICA

Georgia As Geo-Economic Pivot For The Causasus and Central Asia

On May 22, the America-Georgia Business Council hosted its 26th annual conference titled “Georgia as a Geo-Economic Pivot for the Caucasus and Central Asia.” The meeting was held at the BP office in Washington, DC. The conference opened with welcoming remarks from the president of the America-Georgia Business Council, Mamuka Tsereteli, and from the Head of International Affairs for BP America, Robert Scher.

The remarks were followed by a discussion between the Honorable Arun Venkataraman, the US Assistant Secretary of Commerce, and Ambassador of Georgia to the US David Zalkaliani. The discussion was moderated by Ambassador Philip Reeker, former US Assistant Secretary of State, currently the Lead of the Europe & Eurasia practice at Albright Stonebridge Group.

Ambassador Zalkaliani highlighted the significance of Georgia as a connecting hub in the region and underscored the role of the South Caucasus region in the current geopolitical landscape. During the discussion, the Ambassador emphasized the importance of Georgia’s European aspirations and economic initiatives in promoting Black Sea connectivity. Additionally, he emphasized the crucial role of alternative energy sources in addressing the challenges for the European energy security. The discussion also touched upon the importance of US engagement in regional commercial projects. Assistant Secretary of Commerce Venkataraman expressed gratitude to the Georgian authorities for their cooperation and emphasized the significance of bolstering the partnership between the United States and Georgia amidst the current geopolitical circumstances. The Assistant Secretary thanked the Government of Georgia for its commitment to international sanctions and export controls imposed on Russia following the invasion of Ukraine. He discussed the economic prospects of the South Caucasus region and highlighted Georgia’s unique role as a crucial link between Europe and Asia.

The subsequent panels of the conference discussed a framework of infrastructure development for regional transit and for the energy security of Georgia, as well as deepening bilateral business ties between Georgia and the US. Speakers included CEO of APR Energy Benjamin Church, CEO of Lineate Benjamin Engber, CEO of the GMT Group George Tavadze, CEO of Rustavi Steel Nugzar Kachukhashvili, Managing Director for the Office of Development Credit at the US Development Finance Corporation Kenneth Angell, Editor of the Index of Economic Freedom of the Heritage Foundation Anthony Kim, Head of Strategy and Senior Managing Director for Eurasia at McLarty Associates Claire Kaiser, and Deloitte Consulting Trade Facilitation Advisor Geoff Wright. The substantive discussion concluded with a Georgian wine reception, sponsored by Teliani Valley and Georgian Wine House.

Category Annual Conference

Date 10/22/2023

Location BP office, BP America, 80 M street, SE suite 1000, Washington, DC, 20003

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