MINISTRY OF ECONOMY
AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
OF GEORGIA

Genadi Arveladze, Deputy Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development, and Ambassador of the Republic of Germany to Georgia, Hubert Knirsch  signed a Memorandum of Cooperation on launching the Fit for Partnership Managerial Qualification Program.

Fit for Partnership is a training program organized by the German Federal Ministry of Economy and Climate Impact (BMWK) and the German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ), which is being implemented in Georgia since 2016. The program focuses on the development of international trade opportunities for small and medium-sized businesses and is of particular importance in the context of the EU-Georgia Association Agreement, including the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area. About 150 people have already taken part in it while over 20 Georgian entrepreneurs will leave for Germany within the framework of the program this year.

Genadi Arveladze highlighted that Germany has been one of Georgia’s largest trade and investment partners for years. The Fit for Partnership program is an opportunity for local entrepreneurs to bring their products to the 500-million market of the European Union. At the same time, thanks to the program, Georgian business has an opportunity to establish business relations and long-term partnerships with German companies and be acquainted with the best practices of German business.

“Becoming familiar with the German business culture, as well as developing international business relations and negotiation skills, is crucial for our small and medium-sized businesses. Our goal is to further reinforce cooperation within the program, which will further strengthen business ties between Georgian and German companies,” – the Deputy Minister of Economy noted.
Arveladze also noted that the Federal Republic of Germany is Georgia’s important and reliable partner on the path of country’s European aspiration and integration.

“Over the years, Germany has held a leading position in terms of development cooperation between Georgia’s partner countries and has played a major role in the institutional building of the country, and we are grateful to the German state for that,” – Genadi Arveladze stated.