Georgia Food Safety Improvement Project

IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, launched its Georgia Food Safety Improvement Project in March 2010 in partnership with BP and its Oil and Gas Co-venturers and the Austrian Ministry of Finance. The Project will be implemented over three years. 

The goal of the Project is to boost the competitiveness of local food producers and foster an increase in food exports. The Project is designed to improve food safety practices among Georgian food manufacturers, build local food safety capacity and harmonize national food safety legislation with EU requirements.    

The Project has three integrated components: 

• Providing advice to companies on upgrading their food systems
• Improving public and private awareness on food safety issues and solutions 
• Alligning Georgian food safety regulations with international best practices
  

Expected Impact

The project will:

• Harmonize national legislation with international best practice in the food safety area
• Increase the number of companies with food safety management systems in place, boosting their competitiveness
• Facilitate an increase in domestic and export sales by client companies
• Facilitate investments as a result of improved food safety management.
  

Improved regulation and an expected decline in food-borne illnesses will also have a long-term positive impact on public health in Georgia.