60% of commitments under EU-Georgia free trade area deal met - Deputy Economy Minister

Genadi Arveladze, the Deputy Economy Minister of Georgia, on Wednesday told the Parliament's European Integration Committee that 60 percent of the country’s commitments made under the 2014 Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area deal with the European Union in terms of alignment of the domestic legislation with the bloc’s framework had been fulfilled. 

Reporting to the Committee about the six-month implementation of the 2023 National Action Plan of the deal that came into force in 2016 as part of Georgia’s Association Agreement with the EU, the official noted the country’s trade turnover with the bloc had increased by 21 percent. 

Speaking about measures implemented by the Government to support small and medium-sized businesses to increase their competitiveness, Arveladze briefed the lawmakers about specific supporting mechanisms offered to entrepreneurs through various programmes, including those ensuring their engagement in international exhibitions and fairs.

He noted the Government was working to develop a quality control infrastructure in line with the Free Trade Area deal to support domestic companies’ entry to the EU market, and was also conducting a market supervision reform.

The Government has made “significant progress” for labour rights protection, Arveladze also claimed in his comments to lawmakers. 

Maka Botchorishvili, the Chair of the European Integration Committee, stressed the implementation of the deal could create conditions for the country’s integration into the EU single market, claiming the Government was taking “all necessary steps” to reach the goal.