ATLANTA – Gov. Brian Kemp will lead an international mission this week starting in the “other” Georgia, the nation at the eastern end of the Black Sea tucked between Turkey and Russia.
The trip to the Georgian capital of Tbilisi will mark the first time a sitting U.S. governor has visited Georgia.
“I’m looking forward to visiting the brave National Guardsmen stationed in the country of Georgia as we meet with officials in that country to reinforce our commitment to our partnership with their military,” Kemp said.
“I’m also eager to promote our No. 1 state for business to the job creators and major industry leaders we’ll meet during this busy trip. In all of the back-to-back conversations, we’ll be able to share why Georgia is the best state in which to invest and bring opportunity.”
The first leg of the foreign mission will include meetings with Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili. The state delegation will consist of Maj. Gen. Tom Carden of the Georgia National Guard and Department of Defense as well as representatives from the state Department of Economic Development.
Kemp and the delegation will conduct bilateral meetings with national officials, visit a humanitarian shelter built in partnership with the state of Georgia’s National Guard, meet with members of the Marietta Fire Department currently leading swift water rescue training exercises, and hold other meetings designed to strengthen the relationship between the state and the country.
The governor, First Lady Marty Kemp, and the economic development delegation will continue the mission with a second leg in Paris to participate in the Paris Air Show. The delegation will meet with aerospace industry companies that have already invested in or are considering investing in Georgia.
“Connectivity leads to business, and it starts with building relationships,” state Economic Development Commissioner Pat Wilson said. “Missions reinforce these relationships and create new ones, opening the door for new opportunities.”