Georgia’s mountain regions to benefit from new state program
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The Georgian Government will continue to support Georgia’s high mountain regions to improve standards of life there.
For this reason the government is working on a new state program that will support the use of state-owned hay-meadow and pasture lands.
The initiator of the new program is Georgia’s Ministry of Agriculture that aims to improve the conditions for those living in mountainous areas of the country in a bid to reduce migration from rural areas to the cities.
The state will support the creation of cooperatives in the regions. The support will include for example providing the cooperatives with needed techniques.
The program will last two years and the state will allocate 6 million GEL (about $2.48m/€2.22m*) for it.
Developing the mountainous areas of the country is one of the priorities for the Government of Georgia.
In July 2015 Parliament of Georgia adopted a new law on the development of Georgia’s mountain regions, which came into force on January 1, 2016. With this law the mountain population will enjoy greater benefits, promised the Government.
*Currency conversions reflect National Bank of Georgia values as of today.
Bakhmaro, the highest alpine ski destination in Georgia, is being developed to turn the rural mountain village into a bustling, modern winter resort.
Social assistance rules eased for rural population
Tough rules currently in place that make it difficult for people living in Georgia’s high mountain regions to receive social assistance, are being simplified so people in these areas can enjoy better living conditions.
Initially the list identified 1,582 high mountain villages but today an additional 99 villages was added to the list. Residents of these 99 villages will now be able to reap the benefits of the new Mountain Law.
Dozens of businesses in Georgia’s mountain regions are benefactors of state support that reduces their tax obligations and supports the development of local businesses.
Georgia’s mountainous resorts are hosting one of world’s greatest climbers this week, with Italian mountaineer Reinhold Messner on visit to survey the tourist potential of the country.
Georgia has updated its list of alpine villages, meaning the locals of additional 37 villages can enjoy special benefits guaranteed by the Mountain Law.
The Georgian government will continue to support Georgia’s high mountain regions to improve infrastructure and conditions for those living there in a bid to reduce migration from rural areas to the city.
The residents of 14 more villages can now enjoy special benefits guaranteed by the Mountain Law, announced the government of Georgia. Upgrading the living standards of the populations of mountainous areas is one of the top objectives of the government, said Georgia’s Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili.
The government of Georgia is redoubling efforts to avoid the reduction of population in mountainous areas of the country, initiating an increase of the list of high mountainous settlements and accordingly the number of beneficiaries of the Mountain Law.
A total of 66 million GEL will be spent on developing mountainous regions in Georgia, to improve infrastructure and conditions for those living there. The money is allocated by the National Council for Mountain Development and the Fund for the Development of the Highlands of Georgia will be spent on projects that are included to Georgia’s new mountain development strategy.
Highland regions of Georgia will welcome visitors with a range of activities introducing local cuisine, crafts and more as part of the annual Mountain Week, with the programme launching on Saturday.