For many, Central Asia's increased efforts to peddle its gas and oil abroad have highlighted that region's economic potential. But outside the market for natural resources, private investment from outside the Central and South Asia remains sluggish.
Georgia has reacted swiftly to recent Russian announcement of higher natural-gas prices this winter. Georgian Foreign Minister Gela Bezhuashvili recently traveled to Brussels and Washington to enlist support for a joint strategy to reduce European energy dependence on Russia. According to Bezhuashvili, Georgia is acting in concert with its "strategic ally," Ukraine.
