USAID Mission Director Douglas Ball joined Minister of Agriculture Otar Danelia and Acting Governor of Shida Kartli Ioseb Okromelidze to visit communities along the Administrative Boundary Line (ABL) with Georgia's occupied territory of South Ossetia.

During the visit, Mr. Ball announced the launch of the new “Zrda” activity in Georgia, which is funded by USAID and implemented by Chemonics International Inc.  Zrda will work in 70 vulnerable communities along the ABL. The five-year program will improve the economic livelihoods and resilience of rural households and marginalized communities, including those in proximity to the ABLs with Abkhazia and South Ossetia.  The activity will support the development and growth of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs); increase productivity of rural households; build connections between producers and buyers; and promote local economic development by establishing trade networks.

As a result, Zrda is expected to create at least 2,000 jobs, increase sales for 650 businesses, raise the incomes of 11,000 households, and improve community resilience.