Opening of an Enterprise Financed within the United Agro Project
Levan Datuashvili, Minister of Agriculture of Georgia together with Kakkha Samkharadze, the Governor of Shida Kartli and Mamuka Kvaratskhelia, Director of Agricultural Projects Management Agency opened LTD Fresh Fish fish processing plant equipped with modern standards in Kareli municipality. The mentioned enterprise was created within the framework of United Agro Project. Fresh Fish ensures the procession of 150 tons of different types of fish and caviar in a year. 30 individuals are employed in the enterprise. Their number will increase up to 65 in the nearest future. For the current stage 100% of the product is envisaged for the local market however export is also planned. The company is the beneficiary of the Co-financing Program for the procession of Agricultural Products and Storing Enterprises. 1,500,000 USD was invested into the enterprise in total. 249,081 USD out of it is the grant and 311,352 USD preferential agro credit. Grant allotted by the government made it possible to create new processing enterprise, that will facilitate the field and fish production in general. Development of processing facilities is principally required for the facilitation of different parts of agriculture including fish production. Nowadays our market is presented mainly by imported fish and fish products. Such enterprises will support the increase of self-reliance-stated the Minister of Agriculture. According to Levan Datuashvili Fresh Fish, being one of the first fish processing Georgian enterprises will give important stimulus for the development of trout farming within the region. It noteworthy that the company intends to take International Standard ISO:22,000 in the nearest future with the support of Agricultural Projects Management Agency and USAID/REAP. 30% of total cost of the International Standard was financed by the company, 50% will be financed by USAID/REAP and another 20% will be paid by the beneficiary. LTD Fresh Fish will take a certificate in November. Agricultural Projects Management Agency has been implementing different projects since 2013 for creation new enterprises. Preferential loans within the project are granted both for the creation of new enterprises and expansion of the already existing ones. More than 750 of existing and 162 newly created enterprises have been financed within the project; approximately 10000 people have also been employed. Financial support from the state encouraged the entrepreneurs to develop and expand their production. Agricultural Projects Management Agency is implementing a United Agro Project that is envisaged for long-term development and is aimed to support the raise of competitiveness in the agricultural field, stable increase of manufacturing high quality products and ensure food safety.