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

Otar Shamugia meets the Deputy Assistant Administrator (DAA) in the Bureau for Europe and Eurasia at USAID, Alexander Sokolowski

As part of his working visit to the United States of America, the Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture, Mr. Otar Shamugia held a meeting with the  Deputy Assistant Administrator (DAA) in the Bureau for Europe and Eurasia at USAID, Mr. Alexander Sokolowski.


As stated by the Minister, cooperation on agricultural development with the United States of America, which is a strategic partner of Georgia, is crucial for our country.
 
The US Agency for International Development (USAID) implements a number of important programs and projects for agricultural development in Georgia, and tangible results are already visible in the respective area.  During the meeting, the Minister has underlined the importance of a special support provided by USAID to Georgia in the fight against the Asian Stink Bug since 2018.

Mr. Shamugia mentioned, that Georgian Hazelnut Producers Association jointly with the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture successfully completed the ‘’Hazelnut Crop Survival Program’’, which started in 2018. Consequently, the hazelnut sector was able to double and increase the yield from 30,000 tonnes of low-quality hazelnut to 60,000 tonnes of medium and good-quality hazelnut fruit.


During the meeting, attention was paid to the increase of the export potential of Georgian wine in the United States. Mr. Otar Shamugia spoke about the promotion programs of Georgian wine and noted, that the National Wine Agency plans to carry several marketing activities in the strategic markets under the ten-year strategy, which will contribute to raising awareness of Georgian wine, and will directly affect the growth of Georgian wine exports. The National Wine Agency cooperates with the American company, which has developed a promotion and marketing plan to increase the awareness of Georgian wine, which will significantly affect and increase the sales of Georgian wine in the US market.

 
Mr. Alexander Sokolowski expressed his readiness to continue cooperation with the Georgian side through the involvement of the USAID regional office, to support the growth of Georgian wine exports to the United States of America, and help interested companies in making connections, expanding outreach and their professional network.


The Deputy Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture Mrs. Nino Tandilashvili and Mr. Giorgi Tsikolia, Ambassador of the Georgian Embassy in the United States of America attended the meeting.