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German Development and Reconstruction Bank (KfW) provides € 16.250 million in grant financing to the Agency of Protected Areas
The grant agreement has been signed between the Agency of Protected Areas of the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture and the German Development Bank (KfW).
Under the respective agreement, the Agency of Protected Areas will receive a € 16,250 million grant for the creation and development of new protected areas within the next 6 years.
The agreement envisages the improvement of efficiency in the management system, enhancement of monitoring of biodiversity, also, ensuring conservation of natural resources, providing professional development training opportunities for employees, and the development of ecotourism.
The new grant agreement was signed by Mr. David Iosebashvili, Chairman of the Agency for Protected Areas, and Mr. Frank Morschel, Manager of the Environmental Portfolio of the German Development and Reconstruction Bank (KfW) in Georgia. Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture Mr. Otar Shamugia attended the signing ceremony.
"Taking care for the environment is one of the top priorities for our Government; We are taking crucial measures in the respective area. We have increased the area of protected areas by about 300,000 hectares. This year we plan to establish new protected areas and increase the existing territory by 100,000 hectares.
The funding is required for the establishment of new protected areas to arrange the ecotourism infrastructure, visitor centres, and equip our rangers with the appropriate equipment; Therefore, obtaining adequate financial support is extremely important. The German government has been supporting us in the development of protected areas over the years. Currently, through the support of the German side, one of the projects is being launched in the country;
Today, we have signed a new grant agreement, which will be used for the development of protected areas. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Government of Germany and the German Development and Reconstruction Bank for their support," said the Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture.
The Agency of Protected Areas of the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture has a successful, long-term partnership with the Federal Republic of Germany, which laid the foundation stone for numerous development initiatives.
The new grant agreement "Biodiversity and Sustainable Local Development in Georgia" signed between the Governments of Georgia and the Federal Republic of Germany provide grant support of up to € 24 million, out of which, the Agency of Protected Areas will receive 16,250 million euros within the next 6 years; The strengthening of the capacities of the forestry sector of Adjara is envisaged by the respective agreement.