Tbilisi, Georgia, Nov.12
By Nana Kirtzkhalia - Trend: Georgia has begun to work out legislative bases for the creation of rural cooperatives.
"The creation of cooperatives is another project that contributes to the development of agriculture. The Finance Ministry has prepared several projects, including amendments to the Tax Code according to which cooperatives will get tax benefits," Georgian Finance Minister Nodar Khaduri said on Nov.11.
According to the Minister of Agriculture Shalva Pipia, the purpose of creating cooperatives is to open new work places in rural areas, adoption of new technologies, increase of agricultural production and export potential of agricultural products.
According to the minister, farmers united in cooperatives, will receive grants from the state regardless the status of the entrepreneur.
"In order to solve problems in agriculture and to increase the effectiveness of this sphere, an agency will be created In order to contribute to creation of cooperatives. The state will contribute to the development of cooperatives and agricultural production," Pipia said.
Starting Nov.12, the representatives of the Information Service of Georgia's Ministry of Agriculture and the heads of local administrations will hold informational meetings with residents of rural areas in the country's regions.
The European Union has allocated some 40 million euros for Georgia's development of rural cooperatives.