Page 52 - GEORptAug20
P. 52
9.1.7 Agriculture sector news
Georgia’s wine exports to US rise in H1 despite lockdown
Wine exports from Georgia to the US increased by 5% y/y in volume in the first six months of 2020 despite coronavirus (COVID-19) lockdowns and economic downturns in both countries resulting from the pandemic, according to the National Wine Agency of Georgia as quotedby PRNewswire.
The latest gain follows five straight years of double-digit growth (running at over 30% on average) in Georgia's annual wine exports to the US. In 2019, Georgian wine exports to the US rose by 46% y/y, making the US Georgia's largest Western wine market.
Wines from 130 independent Georgian producers are now available in the US market.
"As the global coronavirus crisis unfolded, we were gratified to see continued strong interest in these wines from half a world away," said Julie Peterson, managing partner of Marq Wine Group. Peterson leads US strategy for the National Wine Agency of Georgia.
"American consumers are increasingly turning to wines that reflect the authenticity of a people and a place as they become more intentional about their food and wine choices during these unconventional times."
Swiss chocolate producer Chocolats Camille Bloch plans to set up hazelnut plantations in Georgia to produce crops dedicated to the production of its leading Ragusa brand, according to Agenda.ge. Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia and CEO of Chocolats Camille Bloch, Daniel Bloch—the son of Camille Bloch who founded the company in 1926—reportedly discussed details of the project on January 23 at a meeting on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. Hazelnuts represent Georgia’s largest agricultural export by value and support the livelihoods of more than 50,000 growers and processors.
Bloch already has a registered company in Georgia and has identified a 561-hectare land asset in Lagodekhi municipality, eastern Georgia.
The company aims to cultivate hazelnuts using new technology to raise productivity.
It is planning to employ around 40 people in its project.
Chocolats Camille Bloch produces 3,700 tonnes of chocolate per year. The annual revenue of the company stands at more than $45mn.
Gazelle Fund, an investment fund dedicated to high-growth, small and medium sized enterprises in the Eurasia Region, has invested $1.1mn in NUTSGE—the leading locally-owned processor and exporter of hazelnuts in Georgia.
The hazelnut industry is a strategically important agribusiness sector for Georgia. The country is the fourth largest producer of hazelnuts in the world.
9.1.8 TMT sector news
Revised bill in Georgia raises media freedom concerns
Georgia’s parliament has endorsedcontroversial amendments to the Law on Electronic Communications that, among other things, allow the Georgian National Communications Commission (GNCC) to appoint “special managers” to telecommunication companies if a penalty or fine set for a certain violation fails to ensure the enforcement of a Commission decision.
The special manager would be appointed until the relevant company complied with the Commission’s decision.
52 GEORGIA Country Report August 2020 www.intellinews.com
