Kobulia Emphasizes Importance of Mountain Economies
Last week, as part of celebrations for International Mountain Day on December 11, Georgian Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development Giorgi Kobulia attended an event at Expo-Georgia. Kobulia spoke to the event’s attendees, saying that “developing the mountain [regions], developing the economy and businesses in the mountains is our greatest priority.”
The event was attended by the Prime Minister of Georgia and other members of the government. Sustainable development in the country’s mountainous regions was one of the main topics of the event. The speakers noted that one of the goals of the International Day of the Mountain is to facilitate and enhance effective cooperation between various institutions, civil society, and the private sector in the direction of development for mountainous regions.
Awards were given to successful residents of mountainous regions in different fields. Kobulia presented one award to Rostom Kobakhidze from the region of Racha, who is well known for producing high quality Racha-style ham (rachuli lori). Kobulia praised Kobakhidze for working with one of Georgia’s most unique and valued products.
“These kinds of enterprises and products are what makes our country more popular and we need more. Today, as I know, production is only for the Georgian market, but we must help Mr. Rostom to export,” said Kobulia, adding that Kobakhidze’s business is capable of processing up to 29 tons of pork per year.
International Mountain Day was established in 2003 by the UN General Assembly. The event’s website notes that mountains cover approximately 22% of the earth's land surface, provide 60-80% of the world's freshwater, and attract 15-20% of tourism worldwide. The theme for the day in 2018 was #MountainsMatter. People around the world used the hashtag to share why mountains matter to them.
Georgia is largely situated in and through the Caucasus Mountains – approximately 54% of Georgian territory is mountainous, according to the National Parliamentary Library of Georgia. Georgia’s mountains have been getting increasing international attention recently. In April 2017, Vogue published an article titled “5 Reasons to Explore the Mountains of Georgia (the Country, not the State),” and earlier this month, the New York Times published a piece called “The Rockies, the Alps, the Caucasus? Georgia Plans for the Future.” Both exalted the virtues of peaceful, idyllic mountain lifestyles, clean air and water, and, in the winter, world-class skiing.
Also on International Mountain Day, the Georgian government presented some key aspects of the new Strategy on Development of the High Mountainous Regions of Georgia 2019-2023, to be adopted after a series of public consultations.
Georgia adopted the Law on the Development of High Mountainous Regions in 2016 as part of efforts to address the challenges of mountain living and promote sustainable development of the regions. Since then, more than 1,730 settlements have received the official designation of “high mountain,” granting businesses and residents certain benefits, including tax exemptions and monthly financial assistance payments. The new strategy is projected to benefit over 300,000 mountain Georgians, emphasizing local entrepreneurship, the effective use of renewable energy, waste management, environmental tourism, and other development initiatives.
By Samantha Guthrie
Image source: Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development