Georgia to receive $330 mln in grants from US over course of five years
US Ambassador to Georgia Kelly Degnan has stated that the aid reaffirms the US’s support for Georgia’s democratic development. Photo: Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge.
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Georgia and the US have signed a grant agreement earlier today through which Georgia will receive 330 million dollars via USAID over the course of five years to promote the country’s sustainable development, create jobs, strengthen accountable governance and Georgia’s democratic achievements.
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili has stated that at the initial stage Georgia will receive $67 million.
Garibashvili said that the ‘crucial agreement with [our] strategic partner’ covers different fields and issues, including conflict resolution, agricultural and private sector development, the rule of law, human rights, democratic governance, civil society, basic education, social services and the environment.
All this, of course, serves the economic growth and sustainable development of our country, as well as the strengthening of the free market and, in general, Georgia’s European course,” Garibashvili said.
Garibashvili stated that USAID’s support to Georgia has already amounted to $1.8 billion.
About 335 programmes have already been implemented in the fields of agriculture, energy, infrastructure, environment, education and health. The US support will ensure the creation of jobs and assist the country’s pandemic-affected economy,” Garibashvili said.
US Ambassador to Georgia Kelly Degnan has stated that the agreement reaffirms the ‘common values’ between Georgia and the US and the US continued support for its strategic partner.
Degnan said that the agreement will support the country’s economic and democratic development and will boost the country’s resistance to foreign threats.
The US government has announced a rapid response grant programme for Georgian civil society organisations, civic movements and citizen groups to help the country respond to challenges caused by COVID-19 virus in a timely manner.
United States Ambassador to Georgia Kelly Degnan said the United States would like to see Georgia’s constitutional amendments ‘accepted, adopted by a full parliament’ so that Georgia can have ‘a truly successful achievement and fulfilment' of the March 8 election agreement.
US Ambassador to Georgia Kelly Degnan summarised her first three months in the role during a virtual press conference earlier today, during which she focused on the challenges presented by the coronavirus, the Russian occupation of Georgian territories and the March 8 election agreement.
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is announcing a $200,000 grant competition for NGOs and entities operating in the agriculture sector of Georgia.
A congressional delegation led by US Senator Jeanne Shaheen, and including Senator Rob Portman, will visit Georgia next week to reaffirm US commitment. Shaheen and Portman will visit Georgia to send a bipartisan message that the United States stands with the people of Georgia in their efforts to strengthen their democracy.
US Ambassador to Georgia Kelly Degnan has praised Georgia’s commitments to reducing gas pollution and building a ‘transparent, competitive electricity market from scratch.’ However, she noted that the work needs to continue for the country to achieve energy independence.