Georgian Agriculture Minister, US Ambassador discuss ties
Shamugia extended his gratitude to the Ambassador for the US’ support in rural and agricultural development and environmental protection. Photo: Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia
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Cooperation between Georgia and the United States in agriculture and environmental protection was discussed on Thursday in a meeting between the Otar Shamugia, the Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia and Robin Dunnigan, the US Ambassador to the country.
Shamugia said the country had made “real progress” in both directions over the recent years and highlighted reforms, legislative and institutional changes implemented with the support of partner countries including European Union member states and the US.
We are waiting for the European Union to grant the country the [membership] candidate status, after which we will start working even more actively in the direction of reforms and legislative convergence. We are ready to further deepen our relations with the US in the fields of agriculture and environmental protection, which will really help us on the way to development”, he added.
The meeting also covered “priority areas” of cooperation, with the sides discussing deepening of trade relations, including growth of Georgian wine exports, diversification of markets and food safety, as well as environmental protection topics.
Shamugia extended his gratitude to the Ambassador for the US’ support in rural and agricultural development and environmental protection.
In her comments, Dunnigan said the meeting pointed out the support from her Government to Georgian farmers in ensuring “more efficient production”, allowing them to sell their products both on the domestic market and abroad with a “higher profit margin”, and noted the US was ready to deepen the cooperation in the sector.
She also wished the country success in the European integration process and expressed readiness to support the Ministry to carry out work in harmonising legislation with European standards.
Otar Shamugia, the Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia and Michael Francom, the Regional Director of the United States Department of Agriculture, on Thursday discussed topics of agricultural trade, cattle breeding industry and related challenges in a meeting held in Tbilisi.
Georgian producers debuted at the US Private Label Trade Show, a fair enabling access to markets of the private trade industries of the United States and Canada and hosted in Chicago between Sunday and Tuesday, the Ministry of Agriculture of Georgia said on Wednesday.
Dozens of Georgian producers of wine and alcoholic beverages have presented their products at Vinexpo America taking place in New York between March 9-10, the National Wine Agency of Georgia announced earlier on Thursday.
A total of 11.3 percent of wines exported from Georgia to the United States have organic wine certificates, making the country a leader among countries exporting to the US, the National Wine Agency of Georgia announced on Wednesday.
Georgian Agriculture Minister Otar Shamugia said there was a "great opportunity" for Georgian wine exports to the United States market, adding the Ministry would work to explore the direction.
Food safety and transfer of modern technology and knowledge to farmers in Georgia were discussed between Agriculture Minister Otar Shamugia and United States officials in Washington, the Ministry announced on Friday.
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.
Otar Shamugia, the Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia, on Thursday discussed ongoing projects and prospects for future cooperation with Liam Chicca, the Regional Director of the International Fund for Agricultural Development during their meeting in Tbilisi.