Tbilisi, Georgia, July 17, 2009
–IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, is helping improve food safety practices in Georgia through a new program that assesses the manufacturing practices of companies and organizes training seminars on food safety issues.
Implementation of IFC’s recommendations provided as a result of the assessments and skills training received will raise the knowledge of food producers about modern tools for food safety management. These tools include “good manufacturing practices”, the system of Hazard Analyses and Critical Control Points (HACCP), and the introduction of modern food safety systems in their companies to make them both more competitive on the local market and to penetrate international markets.
“Many companies need to start by addressing simple standards of hygiene to improve their food safety conditions,” said Irina Kokaia, project manager for Georgia Investment Climate Advisory Services. “We help them bring the products of food producers closer to international standards, while preparing them for upcoming inspections.”
Currently, food production companies in Georgia are not inspected or required to register, because of the suspension until 2010 of the relevant articles of the Law on Food Safety and Quality. The capacity of local companies concerning food safety standards therefore needs to be strengthened, and the Georgia Investment Climate Advisory Services of the World Bank Group is helping develop this capacity in the country’s private sector to bring it up to international standards.
The project will also publish a special brochure on HACCP principles aimed at educating entrepreneurs about food safety.
IFC is working on this project in partnership with BP and the co-venturers in its oil and gas projects, as well as the Canadian International Development Agency.
About IFC
IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, creates opportunity for people to escape poverty and improve their lives. We foster sustainable economic growth in developing countries by supporting private sector development, mobilizing private capital, and providing advisory and risk mitigation services to businesses and governments. Our new investments totaled $16.2 billion in fiscal 2008, a 34 percent increase over the previous year. For more information, visit
www.ifc.org
.
