TBC gets approval to acquire Uzbekistan’s dominant OLX after 1 year

TBC Bank Group PLC ("TBC PLC") today announces that the Georgian Lari to Pound Sterling exchange rate that will apply to the final dividend payment for 2025 will be 3.5857, being the average exchange rate of the National Bank of Georgia for the period of 1-5 June 2026 inclusive (5 days average).As a result, on June 22, TBC PLC will distribute a final dividend of GEL 3.87 per share for 2025. With this amount, the total dividend for 2025 was GEL 8.87 (+10%, y.y), including the aggregate amounts that the Group paid out in quarters.As a reminder, the 1Q26 dividend of 1.75 GEL per share of TBC PLC will be paid on September 11.As of the end of March, the number of ordinary shares of the Group amounted to 55,726,793 units.

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This information became known from material published on X by Laura Kelly, a journalist for the American publication The Hill.GOP donor Steve Nicandros is back in Washington advocating improved U.S.-Georgian Dream relations, reaching out to Joe Wilson, who is leader of holding GD accountable for election fraud, support for Iran and repression of Georgian peopleA journalist who has previously written about Nicandros’ lobbying activities for the Georgian Dream party has released an official letter dated June 8, 2026, in which the businessman personally addresses the congressman.It is worth noting that Congressman Joe Wilson is a harsh critic of the current Georgian government and is a co-author of the “MEGOBARI Act” prepared in Washington.Steve Nicandros emphasizes in the letter that since 1997, his company has invested more than $500 million in the country's oil and gas sector. The businessman does not directly mention Frontera in the letter and introduces himself as the head of TXN Energy. He notes that he respectfully disagrees with the congressman's recent tough stance on Georgia's current political course, but wants to share with him the "unique perspective" of the private sector.According to Nicandros, Washington's attempts to impose sanctions and harsh public messages are significantly harming American businesses operating in Georgia. With the same position, he also addressed other Republican members of the House of Representatives in January of this year and called on them to oppose the "MEGOBARI Act".Congressman Wilson has not yet issued a public response to the appeal.The multi-year, multi-million dollar arbitration dispute between Frontera and the Georgian government ended in 2020.Tbilisi initially planned to terminate the contract, but ultimately changed its mind and continued negotiations.The American company currently owes the Georgian budget GEL 15.4 million, which the state corporation considers “irrecoverable.”

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In Q1 2026, equity amounted to USD 101.6 million which is 37.5 percent of the total foreign direct investment (FDI). Reinvestment reached USD 145.8 million and held the largest share, at 53.8 percent. Debt instruments totaled USD 23.8 million, with an 8.8 percent share of the total FDI.The United Kingdom reaching USD 52.4 million in Q1 2026 (19.3 percent) was the major foreign direct investor country. The United States was the second with USD 47.5 million (17.5 percent) followed by the Netherlands with USD 29.2 (10.8 percent).The share of the three largest investor countries is 47.6 percent of the total investment.The largest share of FDI was registered in the financial and insurance activities sector, reaching USD 125.1 million (46.1 percent) in Q1 2026. Real estate activities sector was second with USD 48.8 million (18.0 percent), followed by the Information and communication sector with USD 37.2 million (13.7 percent).The share of the three largest sectors in total foreign direct investment amounted to 77.8%.

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This bill requires the Department of State to submit a classified report to Congress that examines Russian and Chinese influence and intelligence activity in Georgia.The State Department must also submit a strategy for enhancing bilateral ties with Georgia, a determination of the resources needed to enhance such ties, and whether the United States should continue to invest in its partnership with Georgia and in Georgian projects.Specifically, Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State, in coordination with the Director of National Intelligence and the Secretary of Defense, shall submit a classified report, as appropriate, to the relevant congressional committees to examine the penetration of Russian and Chinese intelligence elements and their assets in Georgia; and examine the potential intersection of Russian and Chinese influence and cooperation in Georgia.The bill also calls for a 5-year strategy for US-Georgia relations.Specifically, the bill requires the US to prepare a strategy that outlines specific objectives for enhancing bilateral ties which reflect the current domestic political environment in Georgia; includes a determination of the tools, resources, and funding that should be available to achieve the objectives outlined pursuant to subparagraph (A) and an assessment of whether Georgia should remain a top recipient of United States funding in the Europe and Eurasia region; includes a determination of the extent to which the United States should continue to invest in its partnership with Georgia; and includes a determination of whether the Government of Georgia remains committed to expanding trade ties with the United States and Europe and whether the United States Government should continue to invest in Georgian projects."The illegitimate Georgian Dream regime is in the process of selling out the country to the Chinese Communist Party, war criminal Putin, and Iran  - against the wishes of the Georgian people and the interests of the U.S.," Joe Wilson told Congress as the House passed the bill targeting Chinese and Russian influence in Georgia.The bill will now move to the Senate.

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This figure significantly exceeds the results of both 2025 (255,944 TEU) and the first five months of 2024 (225,630 TEU).The growth dynamics at the port remain stable in the monthly period. In particular, in March of this year, the terminal processed 52,959 TEU, in April this figure increased to 58,665, and in May it reached a peak of 64,952 TEU.In parallel with container shipments, the number of ships received by the Poti Seaport has also increased. Since the beginning of 2026, the port has hosted 172 container ships, while in the corresponding period of 2025 this figure was 139, and in 2024 it was 131.According to APM Terminal Poti, positive dynamics are also observed in the direction of general cargo. In the first five months of this year, 160,857 tons of general cargo were processed, which exceeds the figure for 2025 (128,828 tons) and significantly exceeds the figure for 2024 (90,281 tons).As for cargo transported by ferry, its volume in the first five months of this year amounted to 80,765 tons. For comparison, this figure was 69,123 tons in 2025, and 80,265 tons in the same period of 2024.Against the background of overall growth, a decrease is observed in vehicle transportation. In January-May 2026, the terminal processed 6,149 vehicle containers, which is less than in previous years: in the first five months of 2025, this figure was 8,257 units, and in 2024 - 8,134.

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According to the ministry, the changes mainly concern the regulations for the admission of foreign students and their residence permits, as well as the rules for legal stay in the country based on marriage between Georgian citizens and foreigners.According to the legislative package, the enrollment of foreign students in higher and vocational educational institutions will be subject to the submission of an international language certificate or passing an exam organized by the National Assessment and Examination Center (NAEC). With this regulation, the state aims to exclude the enrollment of those individuals who do not actually possess the appropriate language competence.In addition, a government resolution will establish a maximum quota for the admission of foreign students for educational institutions. Universities will be obliged to reflect any information related to the status of students in a unified information system, to which state agencies will have access. For violation of the rules, educational institutions will be held administratively liable, which, in addition to a fine, also provides for restrictions on the admission of foreigners or cancellation of authorization.A study residence permit will be issued to adults only if they are studying at authorized institutions, and in case of failure to meet academic requirements, violation of labor conditions, or absence from the territory of the country, the residence permit will be revoked.The legislative package tightens the rules for obtaining the right of residence on the basis of marriage. A new legal status is established - “Residence permit for the spouse of a citizen of Georgia”, which is issued before the right of permanent residence. Before issuing the permit, a special commission will verify the validity of the marriage.The draft law makes fictitious marriages for the purpose of obtaining residence or citizenship punishable under criminal law. The sanction is the expulsion of a foreigner from Georgia and a ban on entering the country for a period of 2 to 10 years, or a fine, or house arrest for a period of 1 to 2 years, or imprisonment for a period of up to 2 years.In order to combat illegal migration, the Migration Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs is granted the authority to carry out operational-investigative measures. In addition, foreign convicts may have their unserved sentence commuted to deportation from Georgia.Changes are also being made to judicial proceedings: the deadlines for appealing immigration decisions and reviewing cases are being significantly reduced, and in some cases the court will be able to consider cases within tight deadlines without an oral hearing.

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Lion Finance Group (BGEO LN) shares closed at GBP 105.50/share (-5.04% w/w and -2.85% m/m). More than 258k shares traded in the range of GBP 105.50 - 111.10/share. Average daily traded volume was 59k in the last 4 weeks. The volume of BGEO shares traded was at 0.60% of its capitalization.TBC Bank Group (TBCG LN) closed the week at GBP 43.78/share (-2.75% w/w and -6.89% m/m). More than 393k shares changed hands in the range of GBP 43.00 - 45.34/share. Average daily traded volume was 72k in the last 4 weeks. The volume of TBCG shares traded was at 0.71% of its capitalizationGeorgia Capital (CGEO LN) shares closed at GBP 39.70/share (-5.59% w/w and +3.66% m/m). More than 176k shares traded in the range of GBP 39.30 - 42.40/share. Average daily traded volume was 67k in the last 4 weeks. The volume of CGEO shares traded was at 0.51% of its capitalization. 

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Foreign exchange reserves increased by $ 531 million in May and as of 01.06.2026, they exceed 100% of the so-called ARA metric of the IMF, at 114.8%.The NBG constantly notes that reserves are a guarantee of the country's macroeconomic stability. Therefore, the long-term policy of the central bank is always aimed at accumulating reserves. When the market and macroeconomic situation allow.Net purchases of the NBG in January-April amounted to 833 million USD. May statistics will be published on June 25.The National Bank of Georgia notes the strategic decision of 03/2024 to invest in gold. As of May of this year, as a result of the change in the price of gold, the value of monetary gold has increased by 543.2 million from the moment of its acquisition. The share is 14.9% ($1,043.2 billion).

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