Demand on biologically clean products is increasing throughout the world and Georgia has a unique chance to get established on the global market as a country producing biologically and environmentally clean food, – stated Mamuka Bakhtadze, Prime Minister of Georgia when delivering a speech at the presentation of the quality mark today.

Head of Government of Georgia stressed the significance of the quality mark in boosting the credibility of products and noted that sales will improve if and when an enterprise has one. It will also ease the exposure of producers to the export markets.

According to the Prime Minister of Georgia, increased competitiveness of the agriculture sector is one of the priorities of the Economic Policy of the Government of Georgia, which is achieved through the environmentally clean, so called organic food production. As announced by the Head of Government of Georgia, organic food production will gradually become tax-free in the country.

“We have waived taxes from a great portion of natural food production already, but have a more ambitious plan to make every enterprise that meet this highest standard and produces biologically clean, so called organic agro-food absolutely tax-free. It will happen step by step. Moreover, our aim is to give greater financial incentives to such start-ups so that every enterprise moves into the production of biologically and environmentally clean food. Demand on biologically clean products is increasing most of all throughout the world and this is an opportunity for Georgia. We may get established on the global market as a country producing biologically and environmentally clean food” stated the Prime Minister of Georgia.

Head of Government of Georgia believes that such steps will facilitate the incorporation of a whole lot of small enterprises in the country to ultimately help in the eradication of poverty.

“Almost over 40 percent of our population is currently employed in the sector of agriculture, though its share in the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is only 9 percent. It is the very source of poverty. We believe that organic and quality food production is the only right way for the development of agriculture. It is the solution enabling our population to get tangible results in the shortest period of time” added the Prime Minister of Georgia.

Irrespective of the fact that applications for the mark of quality are voluntary, Head of Government of Georgia urged entrepreneurs to embrace this opportunity. Prime Minister of Georgia believes that it will boost the competitiveness of enterprises and will lead to creation of more jobs in the country.

Mark of Quality was presented at Mtatsminda Park of Tbilisi within the scope of Tea and Honey Festival. Prime Minister of Georgia focused on the specific achievements witnessed in terms of tea and honey production.

“I am thrilled that number of small enterprises that produce natural honey has been particularly increased in Georgia in recent years. Some are getting started with tea production. Hence, I believe that Mark of Quality will primarily benefit the honey, tea, wine, cheese and dairy producers. We should gradually – step by step – transform the agriculture sector to the production of biologically clean, high quality food. It is a unique chance for our country” noted the Prime Minister of Georgia.

Mark of Quality was presented by Levan Davitashvili, Minister of Environment and Agriculture of Georgia. In line with the new regulation of the line ministry on the Rules for Assigning the Right of Quality Mark Use, there are 11 classifiers of quality and marks of quality, including the Protected Geographic Indication (PGI), Protected Designation of Origin (PDO), Traditional Product, Georgian Quality, Grass Fed, Hand Made, Stemming from Highlands, Forest Nurtured, Juice of Immediate Squeeze, Bio Product, Transitioning to Bio Production. Applications for the Mark of Quality are voluntary and it is assigned in line with the rules adopted under the legislation of Georgia and referred regulation.

Prime Minister’s Press Office