Guria Farmers Establish Links with Lithuanian Businesses
USAID works with farmers and farming communities throughout Georgia to identify alternative export markets and establish business-to-business linkages. This support has been particularly important since the imposition of a Russian embargo in March 2006 on Georgian agricultural products. The Guria Agribusiness Center, is one of many beneficiaries that have thrived as a result of USAID investment.
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| More than 800 visitors tasted Georgian food and learned about Guria’s tourism potential |
GABC, a Georgian non-governmental organization that provides technical assistance in farming in Ozurgeti, obtained an Innovative Economic Practices grant to participate in two September 2007 exhibitions in Lithuania through the USAID-funded Georgia Employment and Infrastructure Initiative (GEII) program. At the exhibitions—Agro-Balt 2007 in Kaunas and EXPO Aukstaitija 2007 in Panevezys—more than 800 visitors tried Georgian food and learned of tourism opportunities in Guria, a region known for its nature tourism, beautiful beaches, and health resorts.
Local governments and businesses in Lithuania showed great interest in the Georgian delegation, and the Georgian participants established relationships with several Lithuanian tour operators. Many Lithuanian companies expressed interest in importing hazelnuts, concentrated tea, bay leaves, fresh greens, and chestnuts from Guria. A pilot contract was signed with Check Tea Mountain Company to deliver 200-250 kilograms of tea a month for three months, generating $3,000 of monthly income for the association. The contract was extended in January 2008 for one year.
At the exhibitions, GABC also established relationships with Lithuanian tour operators and Lithuanian businesspeople who plan to visit Georgia in the spring of 2008 to explore expanded business opportunities. The GABC has since been invited to participate in the international LITEXPO 2008 planned for next summer in Vilnius.
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