In the final phase of a multi-year technical assistance program, CLDP partnered with Georgia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) and Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development (MOESD) to develop commercial and trade curricula for the MFA’s Diplomatic Training Center (DTC) through a workshop held in Tbilisi, Georgia from July 9-11, 2014. In an effort to institutionalize “economic diplomacy” curricula at DTC, CLDP has been providing training for DTC trainers as well as for current and future Georgian diplomats on promoting Georgian exports, engaging potential foreign investors, and effectively taking part in trade negotiations since 2012. In 2013, DTC led the effort to develop a Georgian International Economic Diplomacy Manual to be used during trainings and as a reference guide for current diplomats engaged in commercial matters abroad.

US Ambassador to Georgia Norland and Georgian Minister of Foreign Affairs Panjikidze opened the workshop on July 9th by launching the Georgian International Economic Diplomacy Manual, which will serve as a guide on commercial diplomacy and world trade designed for Georgian diplomats working on economic issues as well as for those who will deliver lectures in this field at the Diplomatic Training Centre.

The workshop, co-sponsored by MFA, included Georgian diplomats from 14 key market countries and key officials from MFA and MOESD. DTC Trainers covered the basics of the commercial diplomacy curriculum and were joined by the Minister Counselor for Commercial Affairs of the US Embassy in Moscow and an economic officer from the US Embassy in Tbilisi. Workshop topics focused on the Georgian economy, WTO trade law, negotiating free trade agreements, dispute resolution in international contracts, investment and export promotion, structuring international business partnerships, commercial attaché tradecraft, presentation and networking skills, developing a market entry checklist, and included Georgia-specific business cases.

The knowledge and skills gained from these programs will help Georgia’s diplomatic corps to: (1) promote trade and investment opportunities in Georgia; (2) act as an interface between Georgian firms interested in joint ventures and potential foreign joint-venture partners; (3) identify potential foreign direct investors; and (4) effectively take part in international trade negotiations.