In an effort to develop the “economic diplomacy” training at the newly established Diplomatic Training Center (DTC) of Georgia, CLDP is providing training for DTC trainers as well as for current and future Georgian diplomats. CLDP partnered with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia (MFA) to develop its commercial and trade curricula for MFA’s newly established Diplomatic Training Center. DTC was established in January 2012 to enhance the professional capacities of Georgia’s Diplomatic Corps by providing regular trainings and specialized courses on select topics of special importance.

On September 7, CLDP provided technical assistance through a training session for Georgian ambassadors on the U.S. Commercial Service and commercial diplomacy, led by U.S. Commercial Service Senior Commercial Officer John Breidenstine. About 50 Georgian ambassadors posted around the world returned to MFA headquarters in Tbilisi for an annual retreat. During this retreat, the US advisor discussed the work and structure of the U.S. Commercial Service, key aspects of commercial diplomacy and world trade, the type of training current and future Georgian diplomats should have on commercial and trade issues before being posted abroad, the commercial diplomacy roles and responsibilities Georgian counselors should have at embassies, and how this work can be delegated and supervised by ambassadors. Mr. John Breidenstine also facilitated a discussion on how Georgian Embassies can increase their role in investment promotion, export promotion, and the facilitation of joint business ventures so that more commercial diplomacy can be carried out around the world.