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South African’s expertise and contribution in Georgia is still appreciated, despite the new government in that country. This was the opinion of Dr. Pieter Mulder, deputy minister of agriculture, forestry and fisheries, following bilateral talks with the new deputy minister of Agriculture in Georgia, Mr. David Natroshvili. “In October 2012, a new government came to power in Georgia. Under pressure from voters the new government promised to reformulate legislation which governs the possession of land by foreigners. Some of the proposals included that foreigners are only allowed to own 2,5 hectares. Such a decision will directly affect South African farmers in Georgia. It is therefore important to assist South African farmers who are already there and those who will shortly be moving there by officially negotiating with the government of Georgia,” Dr. Mulder said. During 2012, a memorandum of understanding between the Transvaal Agricultural Union (TAU) and the previous government of Georgia was signed. The purpose of the agreement was to assist Georgia with the development of their commercial agriculture and to draw more South African farmers to Georgia. More than 90 South African farmers have already visited Georgia and five have already purchased land and started farming in that country. With a new government, the position of these farmers may be affected. Mr. Natroshvili is in South Africa at the moment on an official visit to strengthen formal diplomatic ties between Georgia and South Africa. The objective of the meeting was to discuss mutually reciprocal inter-government and commercial partnerships and cooperation with regards to the farming sector between South Africa and Georgia. During the discussions, the position of South African farmers in Georgia was discussed. Where previous agreements were not on a governmental level, it was agreed to start working on such an agreement. This could lead to an official agreement on cooperation in the area of agriculture, which could be signed by South Africa and Georgia. “The strengthening of trade relations with countries other than South Africa’s traditional trade partners is, in the current economic climate, of cardinal importance,” Dr. Mulder said. |
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