US Ambassador to Georgia Kelly Degnan says the Grant Agreement for Promoting Sustainable Development in Georgia will strengthen democratic institutions and bring strong economic growth.
The Ambassador noted that the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) will help the country, locally and nationally, to achieve greater transparency and accountability.
“I am very pleased to be here today and to mark a very important step in our strategic partnership between the United States and Georgia.
“The Director of the International Development Agency and the Minister of Finance are signing a new grant agreement that will enable the American people, through the United States Agency for International Development, to allocate $ 330 million for Georgia’s sustainable development over the next five years.
“This is a support proving our shared values and a program for development. It will strengthen Georgia’s resilience to external harms, strengthen democratic institutions, bring strong economic growth, create jobs and employment opportunities throughout the country. This will help create opportunities in many areas. A new program on energy security will be created, Georgia will be able to diversify its energy resources and reduce its dependence on Russia.
“We are working on new initiatives to increase economic opportunities, relations between peoples. This also includes communities outside the administrative boundary line. We will continue to invest in basic education beyond the $ 7 million that we are carrying out under the U.S. International Development Program, which began last year. A new program of civic education will be launched, which will create resources in the future to prepare staff in this field.
“The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) will help the country at the local and national levels to have more transparency and accountability, and the leaders to be accountable to the people,” Degnan said.
“Today we are signing a very important grant agreement with our strategic partner, the United States of America, for the Sustainable Development of Georgia. The Development Objectives Grant Agreement (DOAG) aims to create high-value and quality employment opportunities, advancement of accountable governance and democratic achievements in the country,” stated Irakli Garibashvili, Prime Minister of Georgia in his welcoming remarks made at the DOAG Signing Ceremony.
“Total support of the USAID towards Georgia has amounted to 1.8 billion USD through 335 programs implemented so far in such areas as agriculture, energy, infrastructure, environment, education and healthcare. I wish to note that all of these lead to the creation of new jobs and quick recovery of the economy hard-hit by the pandemic. I wish to once again express gratitude to the US Government and Madam Ambassador on behalf of our government and people for this tremendous support,” he stated.
