USG Supports Clean Energy and Information Technology in Georgia (September 24)
On September 24, Chargé d'Affaires Kent
Logsdon signed two grant agreements on behalf of the United States Trade and
Development Agency (USTDA) to promote clean energy and the information and communications
technology sector in Georgia. The
Georgian signatories were Natia Turnava, General Director of the Georgian
International Energy Corporation (GIEC) and Giorgi Gugunishvili, Chief
Executive Officer of JSC United Telecom. USTDA awarded $284,342 to GIEC for a
study of coal bed methane production in the Vale coal basin in southern Georgia
and a $336,300 grant to JSC United Telecom of Georgia (UTG) for a feasibility
study on a national fiber-optic ring that will expand high-speed internet and
phone service. It will
also help promote competition in Georgia's developing telecommunications and
internet markets, as well as access previously unserved regions. "It's a very
important day for us at the Embassy. These
new grants will help both of these companies make a significant contribution to
Georgia's economy," Chargé
d'Affaires Kent Logsdon told the journalists after the signing ceremony.