Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia

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Tengiz Nasaridze: "The overall investment in agriculture exceeded GEL 7.64 billion.

At the joint meeting, officials from state agencies and the representatives of the business sector discussed the challenges, perspectives, and issues of improving access to financial resources in the agricultural field.

Mrs. Nino Tsilosani, Deputy Speaker of the Parliament of Georgia, Mr.Tengiz Nasaridze, Deputy Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture, Mr. Gela Samkharauli, Chairman of the Agrarian Issues Committee of the Parliament of Georgia, and Mrs. Annie Steed, Acting Director of the USAID Georgia Economic Growth Office attended the meeting.

The Deputy Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture focused on the projects implemented by the state jointly with the European Union, international donor organizations, and funds, noting that access to finances in agriculture is increasing year by year.

"For more than ten years, we have been implementing various support programs, within which the total amount of investment in agriculture has exceeded GEL 7.64 billion, of which the state co-financing is almost GEL 2.04 billion. The export of agro-food products is annually increasing due to state policy. In 2023, Georgia exported a record number of agro-food products worth up to 1.44 billion US dollars to 106 countries, which is 15% higher than the rate of 2022, and in the last twelve years, we have a growth rate of 181%", said Mr. Tengiz Nasaridze.
During the meeting, the parties discussed the results of the thematic inquiry of the Agrarian Issues Committee, focusing on "Access to finance in the agricultural sector from the perspective of private financial institutions." The US Agency for International Development (USAID) provided financial support for creating the thematic inquiry. 

"However, since 2013, we have had impressive dynamics towards subsidizing state programs and providing credits in the agricultural portfolio, although lending to the agricultural sector by private businesses, is still very low. Our thematic research showed us the contradictions embraced by the banking sector. Recommendations were issued for both state agencies and representatives of the business sector", Mrs. Nino Tsilosani said.

Mrs. Annie Steed, Acting Director of USAID's Office of Economic Growth, emphasized the US government's continuous assistance for Georgia, stating that the US has supported Georgia in its path to sustainable economic development for the past 30 years.
The Agrarian Issues Committee of the Parliament of Georgia organized the meeting with the participation of the representatives of the Ministry of Environmental and Agriculture, the Agrarian Issues Committee of the Parliament of Georgia, USAID, the Georgian Farmers' Association, the Rural Development Agency, banks, and microfinance organizations.