3 days training for SMEs in the fresh fruits and vegetables business - Georgia (2023)

In cooperation with the Export Development Association EDA, the Bank of Georgia and the USAID Agriculture Program, Bureau Leeters conducted an 'Export Facilitation' training program in Tbilisi. Georgian producers and exporters of fresh fruits and vegetables work hard to diversify their export markets. Gulf countries and EU countries are high on their priority list. For a group of 15 exporters Jos Leeters shared trends, developments, requirements and entry options into these new markets and supported the exporters and representatives of the Georgian Farmers' Association in developing their export strategy.

The assignment was initiated by the USAID Agriculture Program, a five-year, US$ 23 million USAID program (2018-2023), implemented by CNFA. The program works to accelerate the growth of agricultural sub-sectors that show strong potential to create jobs, improve incomes, and increase micro, small, and medium enterprise (MSME) revenues, with a particular focus on berries, culinary herbs, stone fruits, perishable vegetables, pome fruit, table grapes, mandarins and nuts. For all these commodities, market diversification is an essential part of the intervention.