The first WG meeting on Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA)

The first WG meeting on Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA) took place on 1st of March, 2016 in the Training Center of MFA.  Internal expert, Mr. Kakha Gogolashvili presented the recommendations which was consisted of the following issues: National Treatment and Market Access for Goods; Technical Barriers to Trade, Standardization, Metrology; Sanitary measures; Current Payments and Movement of Capital. International expert, Mr. Mr. Martin Valentovic from SFPA shared Slovakian experience to the audience. 

 

Overall, the first working group was highly informative, beneficial and productive for every stakeholder. 

Mrs. Mariam Gabunia (The Head of Department for Foreign Trade and International Economic Relations, Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Developmen) and Mr.Mikheil Skhiereli (Country Program Manager, Good Governance Fund at Policy and Management Consulting Group LLC) were the co-chairs of the meeting. 

Activity of the Working Group Members

In general, WG members were actively engaged in the discussion. They were providing additional information and advices to the CSO and governmental representatives about the DCFTA and topics related to the EU-Georgia relations. WG members specified and verified information (in some case Data) which were provided by internal and international experts.

 

Coverage

WG meeting was broadcasted on TV Rustavi2 and TV Imedi;

Information about the meeting was spread through the social-media by Levan Mikeladze Training Center, Levan Mikeladze Foundation and by Georgia’s Reforms Associates:

 

The MAIN FEATURES AND FINDINGS

  • Revealing the current state of the process of establishment of a Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade area between the EU and Georgia;
  • Revealing the necessity to develop adequate quality infrastructure and provide important part of industries with laboratories, verification, inspection, market surveillance mechanisms.
  • Identification of priority areas and development of a long list of actions (DCFTA/AA)
  • Secure availability of financial and human resources
  • Conducting intensive Communication activities to raise awareness of stakeholders and general public
  • Realization of objectives of the DCFTA
  • During the discussion wg agreed that it is highly important that businesses should be well informed about the opportunity of the single market and also about the conditions for easing the export of goods and services to the EU
  • WG agreed that well organized coordination and planning is utterly important. These two activities of the government are of utmost importance. Planning of the DCFTA implementation is coordinated by the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development. Coordination mechanism needs to be systemic. The ministries and agencies work hard to comply with their tasks and duties. Ministry of Economy occasionally hosts the working group meetings, where the progress and plans of the ministries are discussed. In the same time, it is necessary to develop a more systemic approach of the planning and coordination by introducing benchmarking, measurable indications and trimestrial internal reporting. The coordination body should be always informed about any progress or delay and have powers to react and give instructions.

 

1-03-2016