Agriculture minister Davitashvili replaces economy minister Turnava in reshuffle

Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia Levan Davitashvili has replaced economy minister Natia Turnava, with the reshuffle announced by prime minister Irakli Garibashvili at today’s government meeting.

The outgoing minister said the move marked “new initiatives and challenges” for her, adding she would look to “test herself in another field” and pledging to inform the public on her plans.

Turnava also expressed confidence in the new economy minister, noting Davitashvili, “with his experience and professionalism, will manage everything at a very high level and will be one of the successful ministers of economy.”

In further comments on the change, Garibashvili said deputy agriculture minister Otar Shamugia would take Davitashvili’s position, and credited the promoted official for his “16  years of experience in the ministry”.

Turnava had been the Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development since April 2019, while Levan Davitashvili had led the agriculture ministry since 2016.