Tbilisi: The First Deputy Minister of Environment and Agriculture, Giorgi Khanishvili, expressed his gratitude towards the government of the United States and the US Agency for International Development(USAID) for organizing the “Regional Conference – Cold Chain Management.” Khanishivli opened the conference with a welcoming speech and stressed the importance of the conference.
The Deputy Minister stated: “I am glad to greet farmers from neighbouring Azerbaijan, along with Georgian entrepreneurs, within the framework of the regional conference. This conference is special in its scale and goals. Please note that the state implements a number of projects that support agriculture development. I think the conference will help strengthen regional cooperation and trade links.”
This was the first Cold Chain management in the Caucasus region which was aimed at strengthening the trade relations between Georgia and Azerbaijan. Khanishvili further stated that “With global challenges – the Covid pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war, it is important to help countries realize agricultural production.”
 “I think the development of refrigeration farms and implementation of international standards in the production process will contribute to the process of Georgia’s integration into the EU,” said USAID head of the Georgian Economic Growth Office, Marik A. Olson.
 The conference, organized by the USAID Agriculture Program, World Food Logistics Organization (WFLO) and Georgian Association of Refrigeration and Logistics (GCSLA) aims to promote trade unions as well as regional export.
Heads of relevant authorities of the Ministry, representatives of refrigeration farms, retail companies, cold chain equipment, transportation and other service providers from Georgia and Azerbaijan and import-export brokers marked their presence at the conference.
