speech by the deputy prime minister, minister for foreign affairs, Maka Botchorishvili at the opening ceremony of the Georgia's innovation hub

Good evening, distinguished guests,

It is my great honor to welcome you to the Consulate General of Georgia. And to celebrate with you Georgia’s Independence Day and our new beginning in San Francisco.

This beautiful city is associated with great ideas and the fulfillment of dreams.

I would like to thank the Mayor of San Francisco for being with us today and for sharing this important occasion.

Today is truly a special day. We are building a new bridge. A bridge that connects ideas with new opportunities and makes Georgia a place where dreams cannot be limited by geography.

San Francisco is a global symbol of innovation and creativity. A place where imagination becomes reality and ideas turn into companies. A place where dreams are built into our future.

That is why we are here today. To begin building new connections for Georgia’s growing potential.

Georgia is a small, yet strategic country. It is a natural bridge between Europe and Asia and an important connector of production with large global markets.

Today we also celebrate Georgia’s Independence Day, a day that tells the story of a small nation with a great history. A story of pride, struggle, and transformation. We are proud that Georgia, despite many challenges, has become a symbol of resilience, economic growth, and new opportunities.

Today, Georgia is recognized as one of the most attractive places to start and grow a business, with simple regulations and highly developed digital public services. This creates real opportunities for both local and international investors.

At the same time, Georgia’s startup ecosystem is growing rapidly. Young people are building innovative technology companies, with support from both the public and private sectors, turning ideas into real and international success stories.

Alongside economic growth, Georgia’s development is deeply connected to its rich cultural and historical heritage. A country where wine was born and which has contributed to the world’s cultural heritage through its ancient traditions and unique polyphonic music.

Tonight, we also share our famous Georgian hospitality, with a touch of San Francisco spirit. But if you want to experience something truly extraordinary, visit Georgia.

This bridge we are inaugurating today must become a powerful tool for connecting not only our countries and opportunities, but also our people.

Thank you for joining us and enjoy the evening.