Mountain Law to benefit 14 more villages in Georgia
Tweet 
Share
The residents of 14 more villages can now enjoy special benefits guaranteed by the Mountain Law, announced the government of Georgia.
At today’s government meeting 14 more villages were recognised as high-mountainous settlements.
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.
Fourteen villages have been added to the list of high-mountainous settlements, which means that many mothers with multiple children, doctors, and pensioners, along with the enterprises operating there, will enjoy additional concessions. Importantly, tens of thousands of households are already using these concessions, which is essential not only for keeping the local population there but also for returning people to mountainous areas", said Kvirikashvili.
The view of alpine Juta village. Photo: N.Alavidze/Agenda.ge.
These 14 villages are located in the following municipalities:
- Chiatura
- Sachkhere
- Kharagauli
- Borjomi
- Marneuli
- Kareli
- Baghdati
- Tkibuli
Earlier, the government announced plans to allocate 10 million GEL (about $4.12m/€3.31m*) for improving infrastructure and conditions for those living in rural Georgia in a bid to reduce migration from rural areas to the city.
*Currency conversions reflect National Bank of Georgia values as of today.
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 Georgian Government will continue to support Georgia’s high mountain regions to improve standards of life there.
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.
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.
The European Union, Sweden and Austria are teaming up to develop mountain tourism and organic agriculture in Georgia’s Zemo Svaneti, Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti, and Imereti mountainous regions with a budget of €6.8 million.
Locals to choose how to spend the budget
A government programme aimed at supporting rural development across Georgia has resumed after a two-year pause.
People living in the village of Bakhmaro in Guria region of Georgia will soon get benefits guaranteed by the Mountain Law, announces the government of Georgia.
The Hub for Healthy Gastronomy and Organic Products in the Mountains (GRETA Hub) has launched in Tsageri, a small mountainous town in western Georgia’s Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti region.
Georgian businesses located in highland areas now will have the right to sell their goods not only in highland areas, but also in the whole territory of Georgia and will also be able to export their goods outside the county without losing their “highland business” status and thus without canceling their preferential tax status, announced the Ministry of Finance.