In Georgia’s evolving investment environment, the U.S.-Georgia Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT),signed in 1994 and entered into force in 1997, plays a key role in strategic economic cooperation. The treaty has not only ensured legal protections for U.S. investors but has also helped to anchor Georgia’s economy in Western institutions. Three decades later, the U.S.-Georgia Bilateral Investment Treaty still remains a powerful tool, both for attracting foreign direct investment (FDI) and for signaling Georgia’s reliability as a partner to the West.
U.S.-Georgia Bilateral Investment Treaty follows the U.S. model investment treaty, ensuring that U.S. investors receive benefits. For example, they receive National and Most-Favored Nation (MFN) Treatment, meaning they must be treated no less favorably than local or third-party investors. What’s more, they are guaranteed strong protection against expropriation and the right to repatriate all returns, profits, and capital freely in convertible currency without delay. Another key feature of the U.S.-Georgia Bilateral Investment Treaty is Investor-State Dispute Settlement (ISDS), which gives U.S. investors the right to bypass Georgian courts and file disputes directly at international tribunals. Georgia has been a member of the ICSID Convention since 1992, and the treaty allows binding arbitration under both ICSID (International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes) and UNCITRAL (United Nations Commission on International Trade Law) rules.
In 2024, total FDI in Georgia was $1.333 billion. Of this, U.S. investment accounted for $182.2 million, making it Georgia’s fourth-largest investor after the UK, Netherlands, and Turkey. In 2025, so far, FDI has reached USD 39.6 million, representing 22.1% of total FDI inflows during this period, second only to the Czech Republic. U.S. firms prioritize sectors with high infrastructure or digital potential, including ICT (Information and Communication Technology), clean energy and transit corridors.
One of the most prominent examples of strategic investment under the U.S.-Georgia Bilateral Investment Treaty is the Anaklia Deep Sea Port project. The Anaklia Development Consortium, jointly led by Georgia’s TBC Holding and the U.S.-based Conti International LLC, signed a $2.5 billion investment agreement in 2016 to construct a port capable of handling Panamax and post-Panamax vessels. These large cargo ships require advanced port infrastructure and are essential for major international trade routes. The project also includes the development of a Free Industrial Zone (FIZ) to support manufacturing and logistics. It is designed to attract global businesses and establish Georgia as a competitive point in Eurasian supply chains.
For the Spanish-Georgian Business Alliance (SGBA), the U.S.-Georgia Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) is more than a legal framework – it is a strategic tool for deepening Georgia’s integration into Western economic networks. While the DCFTA anchors Georgia to the EU single market, and agreements like the EFTA and China FTAs diversify its trade partnerships, theU.S.-Georgia Bilateral Investment Treaty uniquely offers strong investor protections and direct access to U.S. capital. As a key facilitator of transatlantic business, SGBA is well-positioned to maximize the BIT’s potential, connecting Georgian enterprises with U.S. and Spanish investors, and advising on regulatory reforms aligned with BIT standards. By linking treaty provisions with practical business development, SGBA can ensure the BIT becomes a driver of long-term investor confidence and sustainable economic growth.