Irakli Garibashvili, Prime Minister of Georgia signed a documnet with Agence Française de Développement(AFD), which will channel 483 million Euros to Georgia as an additional financial support during 2021-2023.
As noted by the Head of Government of Georgia, AFD has been supporting significant projects and programs in Georgia. "We are signing an utterly important document, which will channel 483 million Euros to Georgia as an additional financial support. It is a vital assistance for our country. Out of this funding 33 million Euros will be allocated to the Government of Georgia as a grant financing. We have excellent cooperation with the AFD. Since opening its Regional Office in 2017, our cooperation became stronger and extended further. Current portfolio of the AFD is almost 480 million Euros. AFD is all about supporting the most significant projects and programs in the country.
I also wish to note with gratitude that support of the Government of Georgia, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic and now in the post-pandemic phase, has been vital. You may well be aware that we received 190 million Euros last year as a support package for the Government of Georgia in addressing the challenges created as a result of the pandemic both in terms of social security, as well as in developing small and medium sized business support measures" stated Irakli Garibashvili, Prime Minister of Georgia.
As the Head of Government of Georgia noted, projects and programs of national significance will be implemented within the scope of the package with 483 million Euros in various areas, including energy, private sector development, healthcare, environment, agriculture, irrigation, water supply and rural development. "With the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), funding in the volume of 483 million Euros will be allocated and cooperation will be launched for the implementation of projects and programs of great significance for our country. These areas are: energy, private sector development, healthcare, environment, agriculture, irrigation, water supply, rural development and other.
I wish to once again note with gratitude the support demonstrated by the Government of France. I thank the French Republic and French people, along with the Ambassador of France to Georgia who was personally engaged in a lot of significant programs and projects implemented in the country. I believe that this day will further deepen our magnificent relations and cooperation" stated Irakli Garibashvili, Prime Minister of Georgia.
According to H.E. Diégo Colas, Ambassador Plenipotentiary and Extraordinary of the Republic of France to Georgia, international partners pledged to support Georgia during COVID-19 back in 2020 and allocated 190 million Euros. Diplomat also pledged to support the country in the post-pandemic phase.
"We believe that this is the time to re-confirm our cooperation program and agenda, to make our cooperation dynamic, to invest in the sustainable and inclusive development of Georgia. This MOU is important for building on the friendly spirit of Georgia and France as it is an ambitious program for 3 years. Prime Minister, you have rightly noted that 150 million Euros will be allocated per year over 3 years, in equal tranches and it will be supplemented with a grant financing around 30 million Euros. I think it will enable us to do an amazing job. Ultimately, our goal is to consolidate democratic institutions, strengthen the pro-Western environment in Georgia, develop value-based approaches and strengthen our relationship and cooperation between Georgia and France. I believe amazing initiatives are happening and will happen in years to come" noted H.E. Diégo Colas, Ambassador Plenipotentiary and Extraordinary of the Republic of France to Georgia.
Diplomat elaborated on the past and pending projects in his speech.
"One of the project areas I want to focus your attention on is being implemented in Tbilisi. There are very interesting projects, not only with a green concept in transportation, but also inclusive projects for housing and economic growth. Latter with economic prosperity will be accessible to all and will manifest in the transport sector and its overall development throughout the capital city of the country.
A few months ago, Tbilisi was granted the status of a World Book Capital and one of the projects will be implemented in the future under this program. There are other examples as well and they are implemented not only in Tbilisi, but in the regions, covering such sectors as agriculture, water supply management, irrigation and that is why this MOU is important. It is aimed at not only new equipment and dynamic development, but the habits of local democracy to be strengthened and all this is bound to bring success. There will be other programs for the development of the Social Code. We have a very important focus in this direction and the same applies to rural development" noted H.E. Diégo Colas, Ambassador Plenipotentiary and Extraordinary of the Republic of France to Georgia.
French diplomat spoke about the importance of team approach in the process of project implementation and noted that team spirit between France and Georgia is promoted in European media with a hashtag of Team Europe.
In relation to the program of cooperation in 2021-2023, a Partnership Agreement was concluded by and between Georgia and the Agence Française de Développement (AFD) at the Government Administration yesterday. In line with the agreement, Georgia will receive 483 million Euros from France in the coming 3 years, out of which over 33 million Euros will be allocated in the form of grant financing. By concluding the referred agreement, cooperation will be practically doubled compared to the current volume.
The Partnership Agreement is aimed at defining the targeted areas and respective programs of cooperation with the AFD in 2021-2023. By signing the referred agreement the nations are somewhat evidencing the successful cooperation currently enjoyed by Georgia and AFD.
In line with the Agreement, cooperation between Georgia and the Republic of France will cover such areas as: agriculture, environment, private sector development, governance, rural development, social wellbeing and healthcare.
The Cooperation Program for 2021-2023 also covers programs and projects in areas like energy, water supply, sanitation, water supply management and irrigation.
The Partnership Agreement was signed by Lasha Khutsishvili, Minister of Finance of Georgia and Cécile Couprie, AFD Regional Director for Eurasia.
