Number of Companies Exporting to EU Increased by 37%
Deputy Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development, Genadi Arveladze introduced the report on the Implementation of the National Action Plan 2018 of the Deep and the Comprehensive Free Trade Area Agreement (DCFTA) between Georgia and EU Member States and the Action Plan 2019 to the Members of the Parliamentary Committee for European Integration. At this point, the implementation of the 2018-2020 DCFTA Action Plan is under way.
Genadi Arveladze commented that the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area Agreement facilitated to the increase of the trade with the European Union in 2018. Specifically, according to the data of 2018, the trade turnover was increased by 17,7% and amounted to 3 359,4 million USD. The exports was increased by 11,5% and equaled to 730,3 million USD, while the import was increased by 19,5% with 2 629,1 million USD.
The Deputy Minister emphasized the fact that in line with the diversification and increase of the export, the number of exporter companies was increased by 37% and amounted to 789 entities. Arveladze noted that in 2014-2018, significant increase was recorded in terms of the recognition of Georgian products in the EU and many new products, including such products as kiwi, dried lemon, persimmon, black currant, apple, quince, fruit jam, furniture for animals, glass bottles and many others entered the EU market for the first time.
Genadi Arveladze stated that Georgia is actively cooperating with the EU’s relevant structures for the opening of the EU market for the products of animal origin. According to Arveladze, the EU market is already open for several products.
According to the Deputy Minister, with the support of the German International Cooperation Society (GIZ), the document of export strategy is being prepared which will allow to address the value chains in such sectors as textile, furniture and communication technologies and have export potential on the EU market.
Genadi Arveladze informed the Parliamentarians and the representatives of the civil society about the sanctions and the phytosanitary measures, customs, state procurement, environmental protection and other ongoing and upcoming reforms within the DCFTA implementation. Special emphasis was made on the reforms aimed at establishing of a market supervision system for industrial products: changes in the product safety and free circulation code and the adoption of technical regulations on construction products. The Deputy Minister also introduced the data on the execution of those issues, The Minister also noted that in 2018, four geographic names received the status protected titles. This products include “Tkibuli Tea”, “Matchakhela Honey”, “Kutaisi Greens”, “Akhalkalaki potatoes”. However, the list of the EU geographical indications protected on the territory of Georgia was updated.
Deputy Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia, Genadi Arveladze addressed the questions of the parliamentarians and the representatives of the civil society.