NBG increases foreign currency loan limit to 750,000 GEL

During the meeting, Turnava provided an overview of Georgia’s current economic landscape, highlighting the country’s stable macroeconomic environment and strong economic fundamentals factors that have enabled Georgia to effectively navigate global economic challenges.She emphasized the resilience and sustainability of Georgia’s financial sector, which continues to attract growing interest from international investors."Georgia’s stable macroeconomic environment and the resilience of its financial sector continue to attract international investors. A Japanese investor entering the financial sector is a strong endorsement for any country. Japan is known for its sound financial system and long-standing investment traditions, characterized by steady and consistent financing. Gojo & Company’s plans for Georgia reflect a long-term vision and commitment."Taejun Shin, whose company owns a 16.8% stake in Credo Bank, marking the first-ever Japanese investment in Georgia’s financial sector, praised the country’s economic trajectory.“We see Georgia as a country with strong growth potential,” said Shin. “Japanese investors value long-term partnerships and sustainable development. We intend to expand our investments in Georgia particularly in support of regional communities and we’re confident in Georgia’s continued progress.”Taejun Shin, founder and CEO of the Japanese social impact investment firm Gojo & Company, is in Tbilisi to participate in an international conference commemorating the 30th anniversary of the introduction of the Georgian lari, a key event highlighting the nation’s economic independence and financial resilience.

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In 2024, the absolute poverty rate in urban areas decreased by 1.6 percentage points, amounting to 7.8 percent, while in rural areas it decreased by 3.7 percentage points, amounting to 11.9 percent.In 2024, the absolute poverty rate decreased compared to the previous year across all age groups of the population. Specifically, the indicator was 12.1 percent in the age group under 18 years (-4.0 percentage points), in the 18-64 age group – 9.3 percent (-2.1 percentage points), and in the age group 65 and older – 6.7 percent (-1.3 percentage points).The absolute poverty rate decreased by 2.4 percentage points for both women and men, amounting to 9.0 percent and 9.8 percent, respectively.In 2024, the share of the population under 60 percent of the median consumption decreased by 0.9 percentage points, amounting to 18.9 percent, while the share of the population under 40 percent of the median consumption decreased by 0.7 percentage points, amounting to 6.7 percent.In 2024, compared to the previous year, the value of the Gini coefficient decreased by 0.02 based on both total incomes and total inflows, amounting to 0.35. However, it remained unchanged based on total consumption expenditures and total expenditures, amounting to 0.36 and 0.40, respectively.

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However, if we look at the trend of profitable banks (11) instead of the consolidated one, the growth is more impressive. The profit for 4 months is GEL 1.05 billion.The net profit of 2 systemic banks (TBC/BOG) increased by 10% year-on-year.

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The total portfolio, as of May 1, exceeds 131 million GEL (L/Y 64.4 million. +104%Y.Y).In addition, lending in GEL is growing over foreign currency. The dollarization coefficient of the loan portfolio is 33.6% (01.05.2024 – 40.6%). Which also reduces the bank's reserve requirement. As you know, the reserve ratio is minimal for a portfolio dollarized less than 40%.The bank's losses have increased annually. Silk ended January-April with a loss of more than 7 million GEL (L:/Y – 2.5 million).

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According to the January-April report, the bank is the leader in deposits of individuals (15.1 billion).The annual growth of the retail deposit portfolio exceeds 50% (01.05.2024 - 9.5 billion. + 52%Y.Y).The systemic bank ended 4 months of 2025 with a profit of 520 million GEL and is number one among (11) profitable banks with a 50% share (01.05.2024 - (13) 50.5%/GEL475.4 billion).

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Gela Geladze's career: 2023 - 2024 - He was the Deputy Minister of Education, Science and Youth of Georgia; 2018 - 2023 - Head of the Mandatory Service of the Educational Institution of the Ministry of Education and Science of Georgia; 2016-2018 - Head of the Central Criminal Police Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia, Division; 2012-2016 - Deputy Head of the National Probation Agency of the Ministry of Corrections and Probation of Georgia; 2010-2012 - Deputy Head of the Mandatory Service of the Educational Institution of the Ministry of Education and Science of Georgia. Former Minister of Internal Affairs and Vice Prime Minister Vakhtang Gomelauri resigned from his position today, May 28, based on his own will.

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As a result, the country's international reserves amount to 4.52 billion USD.According to the National Bank, the accumulation of international reserves is one of the important guarantees of Georgia's macroeconomic stability. So, when there is an appropriate opportunity in the market, the NBG actively uses the policy of replenishing reserves.The foreign exchange interventions carried out by the National Bank on the Bmatch platform during 2025 look like this: In January-February – no net purchase was carried out March – net purchase of 101.7 million USD April – net purchase of 266.4 million USD The National Bank plans to publish updated data on operations carried out in the foreign exchange market on June 25, 2025.

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TBC Capital predicts that the FMCG and HORECA industries are expected to maintain sustainable growth rates in the coming years.“While domestic beer production volumes remained largely unchanged in 2024, price changes significantly increased the value of manufactured goods.The annual figures also show increased demand for imported beer.The increased domestic demand, especially for imported beer, is reflected in a significant increase in imports and a decrease in exports,” the study says.In more detail, according to the study, in 2024, local beer production in Georgia increased by 1% compared to the previous year and amounted to 127 million liters, and the average price per liter was 2.8 GEL. As for consumption, according to the study, in 2024, 138 million liters of beer were brewed in Georgia, of which 87% came from local production and only 13% from imports. In 2023, consumption was 125 million litres, of which 10% came from imports.In addition, according to TBC Capital, imports last year amounted to 15.5 thousand tons, which is 3.8 thousand tons more than in 2023. The export rate decreased by a thousand tons, from 6.9 thousand tons to 5.9 thousand tons.

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