2021-05-21
"Today we are signing a very important grant agreement with our strategic partner - the United States of America - for the Sustainable Development of Georgia. The Development Objectives Grant Agreement (DOAG) aims to create high-value and quality employment opportunities, advancement of accountable governance and democratic achievements in the country" stated Irakli Garibashvili, Prime Minister of Georgia in his welcoming remarks made at the DOAG Signing Ceremony today.
As noted by the Head of Government of Georgia, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) will initially allocate 67 million USD as a grant financing, which may gradually increase to 330 million USD.
"Today we are signing a very important grant agreement with our strategic partner - the United States of America - for the Sustainable Development of Georgia. The Development Objectives Grant Agreement (DOAG) aims to create high-value and quality employment opportunities, advancement of accountable governance and democratic achievements in the country. It covers a number of strategic directions: conflict resolution, agriculture, private sector development, rule of law, human rights, democratic governance, civil society, base education, as well as social services and environment. All of these will serve to the economic growth and sustainable development of our country, of course. It will also boost the free market economy and western orientation at large.
USAID will initially allocate 67 million USD as a grant financing, which may gradually increase to up to 330 million USD.
Total support of the USAID towards Georgia has amounted to 1.8 billion USD through 335 programs implemented so far in such areas as agriculture, energy, infrastructure, environment, education and healthcare. I wish to note that all of these lead to the creation of new jobs and quick recovery of the economy hard-hit by the pandemic. I wish to once again express gratitude to the US Government and Madam Ambassador on behalf of our government and people for this tremendous support" stated Irakli Garibashvili, Prime Minister of Georgia.
As noted by Ambassador Plenipotentiary and Extraordinary of the United States of America to Georgia H.E. Kelly Degnan, the new program is a new phase in the relationship of the USA and Georgia, which is based on the progress achieved by the country in building democratic institutions, creating the foundation for a dynamic, market-based economy and further integrating with the Euro-Atlantic community.
"I am pleased to be here today marking an important step forward in the US-Georgia strategic partnership. In a few minutes, the USAID/Georgia Mission Director and the Minister of Finance will sign a new development assistance agreement that will make it possible for USAID to deliver $330 million in new assistance to Georgia over the next five years. It is an endorsement of our shared values and a program for development. It will strengthen Georgia's resilience against malign external influence, strengthen democratic institutions, boost economic growth and create new jobs throughout the country. This will help create opportunities in many areas. A new program on energy security will be created. Georgia will be able to diversify energy resources and reduce its dependence on Russia. This will make it possible to reduce the utility costs of the population. We are working on new initiatives in this direction to increase economic opportunities, further develop people-to-people interaction - and this also includes communities along the administrative border lines. We will continue to invest in basic education to complement the $7 million project implemented by the USAID, which was launched last year.
A new program will be designed and developed in the field of civic education to help prepare future generations for success in this field. The USAID will continue to help Georgia develop good governance both at national and local levels to have more transparency and more accountability, so that Georgian citizens hold their leaders accountable. Finally, this funding will make it possible for the USAID to support new economic growth programs, including one recently announced, by reducing unemployment, developing and expanding small and medium-sized enterprises to create new jobs. So, you can see why we are so excited about the opportunity that this new program creates. This latest phase in our relationship will build on progress that Georgia has already made in terms of creating democratic institutions, advancing the dynamic market-based economy and greater integration into the Euro-Atlantic community. For the next five years and beyond the United States Government will continue to assist Georgia in strengthening its democratic institutions and creating opportunities to address current and future challenges. The United States remains committed to Georgia's success as a prosperous stable democracy" stated H.E. Kelly Degnan, Ambassador Plenipotentiary and Extraordinary of the United States of America to Georgia.
Development Objectives Grant Agreement (DOGA) in Support of Sustainable Development in Georgia has been signed at the Government Administration today. In line with DOGA, USAID will allocate a grant financing in the value of up to 67 million USD to Georgia with an opportunity of augmentation to almost 330 million USD.
DOGA envisages projects to be implemented towards conflict resolution and stability, human rights, agriculture, private sector effectiveness, rule of law, democratic governance, civil society, base education, social services, agriculture and environment.
DOGA was signed by Lasha Khutsishvili, Minister of Finance of Georgia and Peter Wiebler, USAID/Georgia Mission Director.
Press Service of the Government Administration