The European Union and the United Nations Development Programme are supporting small and medium-sized enterprises in Georgia to strengthen competitiveness, create jobs and expand into international markets through the Inclusive Access to Markets initiative.
The four-year project, implemented from 2023 to 2027, is helping Georgian businesses improve export readiness, upgrade production systems, strengthen logistics and meet European market standards. The initiative is being implemented by UNDP in partnership with the Estonian Centre for International Development.
Small and medium-sized enterprises play a major role in Georgia’s economy. They represent nearly 90 percent of all active businesses, provide 60 percent of private-sector jobs and contribute significantly to the country’s exports to the European Union.
Since 2023, the project has supported 306 small and medium-sized enterprises across Georgia, with 73 percent of them women-led. The support has already helped create 960 new jobs, enabled 25 businesses to enter EU markets for the first time and contributed to an average five percent increase in export revenues among participating enterprises.
The initiative provides tailored training, consultancy, technical assistance and business development support. It helps businesses improve product quality, comply with EU standards, adopt sustainable practices and access new market opportunities.
Several Georgian businesses are already benefiting from this support. Cosmo LLC, a Tbilisi-based producer of bags and accessories, employs 80 people, almost 90 percent of whom are women, and exports to the Netherlands, Denmark, France, Italy and the United States.
Georgian Packaging LLC is upgrading its production and logistics infrastructure to meet European environmental protection and food safety standards. OX-GEN LLC, a biotechnology company, is using the support to export molecular biology reagents and diagnostic kits to Germany and Hungary.
Champy LLC, based in the conflict-affected village of Ditsi in Gori Municipality, produces healthy apple chips and creates employment opportunities for the local community. The company employs 13 people, including 12 women, exports to the United States and Canada and is preparing to enter the German market.
The European Union and UNDP said the initiative is helping Georgian SMEs innovate, improve competitiveness and access new markets. The support also contributes to stronger local economies, women’s economic participation and sustainable business growth.
Over the next two years, the European Union and UNDP will continue expanding support for Georgian SMEs. The goal is to help more businesses unlock export opportunities, strengthen value chains and contribute to a more inclusive and sustainable economy in Georgia.
Overall, the Inclusive Access to Markets initiative is helping Georgian small and medium-sized enterprises move from local growth to global reach. By supporting export readiness, job creation and women-led entrepreneurship, the project is strengthening Georgia’s long-term economic resilience.
