Page 52 - GEORptOct19

quality from ‘farm to fork’ in Georgia’s dairy and beef production chains, Agenda.ge​ ​reported​.
Under the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (DCFTA) with the European Union, Georgia’s farmers can sell products on the European market—but at the same time they face competition from foreign producers on the local market. An upward trend in milk production in Georgia started in 2015 thanks to assistance from the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). The production of high-quality milk in Georgia more than doubled between 2015 and 2018, the fifth dairy congress in Tbilisi announced earlier this year.
The goals of the project are to increase agricultural productivity and expand trade among more than 54,000 direct programme participants, primarily along the East-West Highway corridor.
By reducing losses and boosting productivity, the project aims to help Georgian farmers access additional markets for dairy and beef products.
9.1.7 ​TMT sector news
The World Bank, in collaboration with the Georgian economy ministry, will develop a National Innovation Ecosystem in the country in order to foster the digital economy and innovative start-ups.​ The World Bank will finance the project, which is estimated to cost $40mn. Countries in the South Caucasus, including Georgia, have been seeking to develop their value-added sectors, such as information technology, in recent years. Armenia is a leader in this sector in the region, with IT and technology accounting for 5% of GDP, and a sizable qualified workforce that has attracted the likes of Microsoft to open up innovation centres in the country. Meanwhile, Azerbaijan has been working on digitising its public services and installing fibre-optic Internet connections across the country. Following in their footsteps, Georgia is also working on Internet connectivity and promoting tech start-ups. The project will comprise four parts, namely the development of an innovation infrastructure through the creation of a network of innovation hubs in selected cities and town; the provision of innovation services; ensuring financing through technical assistance and matching grants; and project implementation support.
9.1.8 ​Renewable energy sector news
Georgian Energy Development Fund and Georgian Oil and Gas Corporation have announced a public auction to privatise 100% of Kartli Wind Power Plant, local business media​ ​have reported​.
The starting price for the sale of the first wind power plant in Georgia is $14.25mn. Construction of the facility involved €26mn, with 70% financed by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD).
The power plant was put into operation on December 20, 2016.
The property of Kartli Wind Power Plant consists of 11 hectares of land and six wind turbines (turbine model: V117-91.5HH), with each turbine having a capacity of 3.45 MW.
The plant generates an average 84.1mn kWh per year.
The electricity generated by the wind power plant is purchased by the state electricity system at a predetermined rate. According to a memorandum signed by Kartli Wind Power Plant, State Electricity System, the Georgian government and Commercial Electricity Company (ESCO), ESCO is obliged to purchase 100% of the electricity generated by the station across 10 years.
52​ GEORGIA Country Report​ October 2019 ​ ​www.intellinews.com