IOC, IOM (observer), ISO
(correspondent), ITU, OPCW, OSCE, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO,
UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO (applicant)

Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Tedo JAPARIDZE
chancery: Suite 300, 1615 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC
20009

Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Kenneth S. YALOWITZ
embassy: #25 Antoneli Street, T'bilisi 380026
mailing address: use embassy street address

Flag description: maroon field with small rectangle in upper
hoist side corner; rectangle divided horizontally with black on top,
white below

Economy

Economy--overview: Georgia's economy has traditionally revolved
around Black Sea tourism; cultivation of citrus fruits, tea, and
grapes; mining of manganese and copper; and output of a small
industrial sector producing wine, metals, machinery, chemicals, and
textiles. The country imports the bulk of its energy needs,
including natural gas and oil products. Its only sizable internal
energy resource is hydropower. Despite the severe damage the economy
has suffered due to civil strife, Georgia, with the help of the IMF
and World Bank, made substantial economic gains since 1995,
increasing GDP growth and slashing inflation. The Georgian economy
suffered some setbacks in late 1998, including a large budget
deficit due to a failure to collect tax revenue and to the impact of
the Russian economic crisis. Georgia also still suffers from energy
shortages; it privatized the distribution network in 1998, and
deliveries are steadily improving. Georgia is pinning its hopes for
long-term recovery on the development of an international
transportation corridor through the key Black Sea ports of P'ot'i
and Bat'umi. The construction of a Caspian oil pipeline through
Georgia--scheduled to open in early 1999--should spur greater Western
investment in the economy. The global economic slowdown, a growing
trade deficit, continuing problems with corruption, and political
uncertainties cloud the short-term economic picture.

GDP: purchasing power parity--$11.2 billion (1998 est.)

GDP--real growth rate: 4% (1998 est.)

GDP--per capita: purchasing power parity?$2,200 (1998 est.)

GDP--composition by sector:
agriculture: 29%
industry: 16%
services: 55% (1997 est.)

Population below poverty line: NA%

Household income or consumption by percenta