News
Nino Tandilashvili: “The Proposed Amendments to the Environmental Assessment Code Aim to Address Identified Shortcomings”.
Mrs. Nino Tandilashvili, the First Deputy Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture, recently met with representatives from the Georgian Business Association and the broader business community to introduce a proposed package of Amendments to the Environmental Assessment Code.
Notably, the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture, jointly with the Parliament of Georgia, developed the package of Amendments.
“We submitted the proposed Amendments to the Environmental Assessment Code at the Georgian Business Association to eliminate the shortcomings identified in practice. The mentioned Amendments focus primarily on enhancing the environmental impact assessment (EIA) process, streamlining administrative procedures, reducing deadlines, and increasing transparency.
I am pleased to report that the business community has positively evaluated the Draft Amendments prepared by the Ministry. Importantly, these changes align with Georgia’s international commitments and relevant EU directives,” stated Mrs. Tandilashvili.
Mr. Shavleg Mishveladze, Chief Business Development Officer at Gulf Georgia, emphasized that the proposed Amendments would significantly simplify administrative procedures for businesses, which would be a substantial step forward.
Mr. Levan Vepkhvadze, Executive Director of the Georgian Business Association, also welcomed the planned changes, calling them timely, crucial, and necessary while noting that the implementation of these amendments would stimulate the launch and growth of new projects, providing a significant boost to business development.
“Many companies represented at the meeting expressed satisfaction with simplifying of procedures. We aim to effectively implement projects, foster economic growth, and uphold environmental standards. These planned changes will reduce bureaucratic hurdles, which have been much needed, and will create a more favorable environment for the initiation and growth of new ventures,” said Mr. Vepkhvadze.
The proposed Amendments to the Environmental Assessment Code include new procedures for modifications in the operational conditions of activities alongside clear definitions of the information, content, and required documentation within EIA reports.
The changes aim to clarify the list of spatial documents subject to strategic environmental assessments (SEA), refine the activities listed in the annexes, and establish appropriate thresholds.
Mr. Soso Pkhakadze, President of the Georgian Business Association Mrs. Nino Kvetenadze, Deputy Business Ombudsman Mr. Vasil Gedevanishvili, Head of the National Environmental Agency and the Members of the Environmental Protection and Natural Resources Committee of the Parliament of Georgia attended the meeting.