FAO experts conducted the training in Georgia on domestic support measures and rules of WTO Agreement on Agriculture. 30 specialists from Georgian Ministries of Agriculture, Foreign Affairs and Economic Development, who are actively involved in designing, implementing and analysing support policies and related programmes, attended the training.

The Workshop, opened by the Deputy Minister of Agriculture Revaz Asatiani, was followed by the two-day sessions conducted by Lars Brink, Expert Advisor from Canada and FAO’s Economist Iryna Kobuta. The participants got familiar with the rules and requirements of the WTO Agreement on Agriculture with regards to domestic support. During the training sessions the participants discussed the possibilities for accommodating new agricultural policies in Georgia within the domestic support rules of the WTO.

``We brought FAO’s expertise in Georgia to strengthen the Ministries’ capacities in this area. This will allow the Ministry of Agriculture to make informed decisions about introducing any changes to the current agricultural policy measures, ensuring their consistency with the WTO obligations,`` said Iryna Kobuta, FAO’s Economist.

Georgia has been a member of WTO since 14 June 2000. To support the countries’ efforts in greater integration with international markets for agri-food products, FAO is implementing a Regional Initiative for Improving Agri-food Trade and Market Integration in Europe and Central Asia. The initiative aims to develop the capacities of Ministries of Agriculture and other relevant institutions to implement WTO agreements to fulfil their trade obligations and introduce measures that would allow the agricultural sector taking greater advantage of trade opportunities.