Promoting clusters and competitive business in Georgia

In the framework of the UN Joint Programme on Innovative Action for Private Sector Competitiveness in Georgia, a forum was organized in Tbilisi on 20th November 2019 to discuss the role of clusters and networks of Small and Medium Enterprises, in unleashing the potential of the private sector and making it more competitive. The event was opened by H. E. Giorgi Khanishvili, First Deputy Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia and was attended by over 100 representatives of private companies, business associations and international organizations. The forum participants agreed that clustering can trigger benefits, such as cutting supply chain costs, stimulating new businesses, increasing innovation, collaboration and productivity as well as facilitating market access.

The cluster team from the UNIDO Department of Trade, Investment and Innovation presented the results of a national mapping of clusters in Georgia, highlighting 53 potential agglomerations in the manufacturing and agro-processing industry. 

The UN Joint Programme on Innovative Action for Private Sector Competitiveness in Georgia is funded by the European Union with a budget of 6 million Euros and implemented by four UN agencies – the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM).

Representatives from the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Parliamentary Committee on Diaspora and Caucasus Issues participated in the panel discussions.

For more information:  Mr. Fabio Russo (F.Russo [at] unido.org)