The Sector Economy and Economic Policy Committee, at the offsite sitting in Akhaltsikhe, got cognizant of the report and activity plan of the LEPL “Produce in Georgia”.

“The project “Produce in Georgia” is one of the successful platforms of the Economic and Sustainable Development Ministry, providing solid support to the Georgian business and facilitating the improvement of the economic parameters of the country.

It is noteworthy that the Agency has recently created over 40,000 new job opportunities and has provided substantial support to small and medium-sized enterprises. In addition, the majority of the aforementioned businesses are situated in rural areas, and the Committee prioritises applying economic development to these regions. We aim to attract more companies to the Agency’s programs, as local production facilitates the replacement of imports and the development of the country’s export potential”, - Shota Berekashvili, Chair of the Committee, noted.

The Deputy Economic and Sustainable Development Minister, Irakli Nadareishvili and the Director of the Agency “Produce in Georgia”, Mikheil Khidureli provided an account on the key priorities, tasks and objectives of the Agency, as well as the projects implemented to support small and medium businesses during the reporting period. The reporters reviewed the programs applied countrywide and the projects undertaken in the Samtskhe-Javakheti region.

According to M. Khidureli, the Agency issued 1359 loans during 2020-2025 in view of co-financing of small and medium businesses with the total amount of the loans, constituting one billion GEL. Within the micro-grants program, 877 beneficiaries were eligible for the loans, 61 of whom reside in the Samtskhe-Javakheti region.

“Development of small and medium-sized enterprises is set as one of the fundamental priorities of the national economic policy, which serves as the objective for the establishment of the Agency and numerous programs are being implemented in this view, including accessibility to finances, technical aid, export facilitation etc. ensured by the Agency”, - I. Nadareishvili elucidated.

After the presentation, the reporters answered the questions.

The Committee members and business representatives heard the elucidations by the leadership of the Agency, along with the further activities of the organization.

The Committee gave a positive assessment and took note of the report.

After the meeting, the Committee members and the representatives of the Ministry visited the Regional Advisory Center of Akhaltsikhe to hear about the programs in support for small and medium businesses.