PM appoints new state governors in five regions

Lasha Abashidze was Davit Narmania's deputy during his term as mayor of Tbilisi. He also headed the administration during Giorgi Margvelashvili's presidency.It is worth noting that Davit Peradze has been the head of Georgian Railway since December 2017.

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Inflation remains close to the target level of 3%. As of April, annual inflation stood at 3.4%, while core inflation, which excludes the prices of food, energy products, and cigarettes - items characterized by significant price volatility - was 2.3%. This year, inflation dynamics are, on the one hand, driven by the increasing international food prices, which, for now, are partially mitigated by the relatively stable exchange rate of the lari against U.S. dollar driven by the global depreciation of the U.S. dollar. On the other hand, alongside international factors, the increase in food inflation has been partly attributed to the one-off rise in bread prices in the local market starting from March 2025. It is important to note that domestic economic fundamentals continue to support price stability. Specifically, improved production capacity partially offsets the price pressures stemming from strong aggregate demand. At the same time, long-term inflation expectations remain stable, as indicated by both the domestic (excluding the bread price effect) and service inflation measures, which remain close to the target level of 3%.Against the backdrop of global economic uncertainty, risks affecting inflation in both upward and downward directions have emerged. On the one hand, recent global developments highlight signs of economic fragmentation, which amplify stagflationary risks. This, in turn, creates risks for increased imported inflation in Georgia. On the other hand, as previously noted, the global weakening of the U.S. dollar index (DXY) has led to an improvement in the lari’s position relative to the U.S. dollar. This reduces the debt burden of dollar-denominated loans and, consequently, alleviates inflationary pressures through this channel. Meanwhile, in the context of declining global demand and expectations of increased oil supply, international oil prices are falling. This, along with the lari’s stable position against the U.S. dollar, has a disinflationary effect.Economic activity in Georgia remains robust in tandem with maintained price stability. Specifically, in the first quarter of 2025, real GDP growth averaged 9.3%. This is largely driven by structural changes in the economy, as reflected in the sustained strong contribution of productive sectors to GDP growth. At the same time, strong domestic demand also plays a key role in supporting high economic growth. This leaves demand-side price pressure as a noteworthy factor to consider.Considering increased global uncertainty, domestic tendencies and expectations in financial markets, the NBG's central scenario projects that inflation will temporarily exceed the target in 2025, stabilizing around 3% in the medium term. Due to the relatively slow pace of normalization of fundamental economic factors in the economy and strong current economic growth, real GDP growth in the central scenario for 2025 has been revised upwards from 5% to 6.7%, compared to the previous scenario. In the long term, it is expected to stabilize within its potential level of 5%.Given the increasing uncertainty, the Monetary Policy Committee has, on one hand, considered a high-inflation risk scenario, where the realization of fundamental factors would require a higher path for the policy rate compared to the central scenario. The high-inflation scenario is primarily based on the recent increase in uncertainty in international markets, which is fueled by tariff policy and the acceleration of economic fragmentation. The materialization of these risks, in turn, would disrupt supply chains and create a globally high-inflationary environment, which would subsequently have an impact on Georgia.On the other hand, the Monetary Policy Committee considered the low-inflation risk scenario, where the realization of fundamental factors would require a lower trajectory for the monetary policy rate compared to the central scenario. The increased global uncertainty and tariff policies may accelerate the diversification of trade worldwide, resulting in the reallocation of supply chains and regionalization. In this process, Georgia's role as the "Middle Corridor" country will be further strengthened. Moreover, under this scenario, the U.S. dollar will remain globally weakened, and against the backdrop of these tendencies, the appreciated exchange rate of the lari will exert downward pressure on overall inflation through the import inflation channel.Following discussions on all of the above, the Monetary Policy Committee has considered it optimal to maintain a cautious approach toward the further normalization of the policy rate and decided to keep the monetary policy rate unchanged at 8%. Upcoming decisions on the policy rate will depend on the analysis of risks and resulting updated macroeconomic forecast scenarios.The NBG will use all available instruments to maintain price stability. This means keeping the overall price level increase close to the 3% target over the medium term.The next meeting of the Monetary Policy Committee will be held on June 18, 2025.

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The position of party chairman became vacant following former chair Irakli Garibashvili’s announcement of his withdrawal from politics.The 9th GD Congress has also formally updated the composition of the Political Council for the Georgian Dream party.The Political Council is now comprised of: Bidzina Ivanishvili, Irakli Kobakhidze, Kakha Kaladze, Shalva Papuashvili, Mamuka Mdinaradze, Giorgi Volski, Tea Tsulukiani, Vakhtang Gomelauri, Irakli Chikovani, Maka Bochorishvili, Nikoloz Samkharadze, Mariam Kvrivishvili, Dimitri Samkharadze, Sulkhan Tamazashvili, and Nino Tsilosani.Irakli Kobakhidze had previously held the position of Chairman of the Georgian Dream Party between 2021 and 2024.

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Beka Urushadze has a PhD in economics and information and communications technologies. He has worked as a project manager in different educational institutions and has held managerial positions in commercial organizations such as Urus Group, Vision Fund International and World Vision International.Beka Urushadze worked as an IT advisor in the Penitentiary and Probation Ministry. He replaced Davit Tabidze in the post at the Municipal Development Fund.

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The framework agreement for co-financing is the first to be signed by the Asian Development Bank. This unprecedented financing model will be introduced in other regions only after its implementation in Georgia and Uzbekistan. The MoU will facilitate access to financing in both countries and deepen the partnership between TBC and ADB.Within the framework of the memorandum, in the period 2025-2028, ADB plans to allocate up to 150 million USD in financing for strategically important projects. Also, with the support of TBC and TBC Capital, an additional 150 million USD is envisaged to be attracted. Financing will be implemented through direct loans and bond issuance.

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The loan agreement was officially signed by Georgia’s Minister of Finance, Lasha Khutsishvili, and Lesley Bearman Lahm, Country Director at the Georgia Resident Mission of the Asian Development Bank (ADB).The project is designed to install a climate-resilient energy storage system (BESS) at the Ksani substation. It also involves studying the potential for green hydrogen development, offering practical training in BESS operations, and sharing technical expertise with the Georgian State Electrosystem (GSE).Executing this project will ensure the Georgian power system’s sustainability, flexibility, and security. Simultaneously, it will improve the quality of electricity and contribute significantly to increasing the security of the electricity supply, thereby strengthening Georgia’s energy independence overall.

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The Company confirms that the dividend will be put to shareholder approval at the AGM on 16 June 2025. If the final dividend of GEL 5.62 per ordinary share is approved by shareholders at the AGM, the following dividend timetable will apply:Ex-Dividend Date: 3 July 2025Record Date: 4 July 2025Currency Conversion Date: 4 July 2025Payment Date: 18 July 2025The National Bank of Georgia Georgian Lari/Pounds Sterling average exchange rate for the period 30 June to 4 July 2025 will be used as the exchange rate on the Currency Conversion Date.As a reminder, the group paid an interim dividend of GEL 3.38 per share on October 11 of last year.

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The high growth rate of foreign currency loans was maintained in March. In March, they increased by 2.1%. Lari loans by 1.4%.By the end of March 2025, the larization ratio of total loans amounted to 56.89%.TOP-8 Banks By Credit Portfolio

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