Zviad Skhvitaridze, founder of the U.S.-based consulting firm ZTN Consulting, says recent comments by U.S. Ambassador Robin Dunnigan reflect not just personal opinions but the official stance of the US administration regarding Georgia’s deteriorating investment environment.
In a statement to the media, Skhvitaridze emphasized that Ambassador Dunnigan’s public assessments are carefully coordinated and based on official instructions from Washington.
“Ambassador Dunnigan’s remarks are not the personal opinion of an individual. When a U.S. ambassador speaks openly in the media with clear messages, it reflects the policy and position of the current administration. These are carefully calibrated statements, not spontaneous comments,” Skhvitaridze said.
He noted that Dunnigan’s concerns about Georgia’s investment climate are accurate, and that many American business leaders are comparing the current environment in Georgia to Russia in the 1990s, a period marked by instability, weak institutions, and eroded investor confidence.
“After the cancellation of the Strategic Partnership Agreement, the situation regarding investments and the overall business environment in Georgia has become even more challenging. I speak regularly with American business leaders, diplomats, and institutions, and the sentiment is overwhelmingly negative,” he added.
According to Skhvitaridze, trust in Georgian institutions is weakening, and this is directly impacting foreign investor interest.
“When institutions can no longer guarantee business sustainability and investor confidence erodes, naturally, investments decline. Some are reminded of the chaotic years in Georgia during the post-Soviet transition. In such a climate, we cannot expect investment growth.”
He concluded by stating that the U.S. government, both current and previous administrations, views the situation similarly, and that Ambassador Dunnigan’s public statement is a continuation of a consistent and growing concern within U.S. policy circles.
