David Songulashvili: Entrepreneurs Receive State Support at All Stages of Their Activities
Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture David Songulashvili visited the fruit and medicinal plant processing plant of Geo Flower in the village of Klde, Akhaltsikhe Municipality.
“Entrepreneurs receive support from the state at all stages of their activities, which allows them to rapidly develop their businesses and create competitive products that are in demand both locally and in export markets,” said Songulashvili. “The state continues to provide support tailored to the needs of farmers and entrepreneurs.”
Geo Flower LLC is a beneficiary of the Rural Development Agency and participates in the Preferential Agrocredit project. Last year, the company also took part in the state program supporting the sale of substandard apple crops.
Located in Klde, the enterprise has the capacity to process two tons of medicinal herbs and five tons of fruit tea per day. It operates under the ISO 22000 food safety management system. Employing 200 seasonal and 40 permanent workers, the company exports its products—sold under the “Monti” brand—to the European Union, Russia, and Turkey.
As part of the Preferential Agrocredit project, a small solar power plant was installed at the facility, supplying renewable energy for its operations. Geo Flower also owns another enterprise in the Ambrolauri Municipality.
Minister Songulashvili was accompanied by Deputy Minister Kakha Kakabadze, State Representative in the Samtskhe-Javakheti Region Zaal Gelashvili, Chairman of Akhaltsikhe Municipality Council Davit Lomidze, and Acting Director of the Rural Development Agency Giorgi Avaliani.
According to the Rural Development Agency, 3,630 loans worth more than GEL 1.3 billion have been issued across Georgia to support the creation and expansion of processing enterprises. Co-financing from the agency exceeds GEL 326.6 million. In the Samtskhe-Javakheti region alone, banks issued 229 loans worth GEL 29.3 million, with more than GEL 7.8 million in co-financing provided.
