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David Songulashvili Meets with Roger Oakley, Team Leader of the Local Economic Development Project (LEDP)
The Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture, Mr David Songulashvili, met with Mr Roger Oakley, Head of the Local Economic Development Project (LEDP), supported by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC).
During the meeting, the parties focused on the project’s ongoing activities in Georgia, opportunities to harness the economic potential of the country’s regions, and prospects for future cooperation. Particular emphasis was placed on advancing tea and wine production, strengthening the competitiveness of local producers, and promoting ecotourism in the areas surrounding Kolkheti National Park.
“Strengthening economic opportunities in the regions requires ensuring that local producers have access to modern knowledge, financial resources, and markets. Cooperation between the government, international partners, and the private sector is crucial in this process. Therefore, similar projects help enhance the competitiveness of local products, strengthen small and medium-sized enterprises, and create new economic opportunities across the regions,” Minister Songulashvili noted.
The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC)-funded Local Economic Development Project (LEDP) seeks to promote economic development across Georgia’s regions, strengthen the capacity of local entrepreneurs, and foster their greater engagement in local economic activities.
Under the project, tea producers in the Guria and Samegrelo regions have benefited from marketing assistance and business development support. The association “Georgia – The Republic of Tea” was established, bringing together 27 producers and promoting Georgian tea. In Kvemo Kartli, a winemakers’ association was founded, uniting 25 winemakers.
The project supported 59 representatives, helping raise the profile of local wines and expand market access opportunities, including promoting tourism development in the areas surrounding Kolkheti National Park. To support this effort, five tourist routes have been developed, and two international familiarization tours have been organized on a trial basis.
The Deputies of the Minister, Mr Lasha Dolidze and Mr Lasha Avaliani; the Director of the Rural Development Agency, Mr Zurab Gozalishvili; and representatives of the relevant agencies attended the meeting.