Investor interest in Georgia’s financial sector “on the rise”, says Prime Minister Kobakhidze
Speaking at the 51st international conference of the Banking Association for Central and Eastern Europe, Georgian prime minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Friday said that global investor interest in Georgia’s financial sector was steadily increasing.
In his address, Kobakhidze noted that the growing attention comes from both traditional banking institutions and a broad range of financial service providers worldwide.
He emphasised that this trend is supported by the continuous efforts of the Georgian government and the National Bank of Georgia to promote competition, encourage innovation, and further develop the country’s financial ecosystem.
“In this regard, the National Bank of Georgia has introduced a broad range of licensing frameworks aimed at supporting innovation and expanding financial services. These include a microbank framework and licensing for digital banks. In addition, a regulatory framework has been established for virtual asset service providers, creating new opportunities for financial technologies and market participants”, Kobakhidze said.
The prime minister further added that alongside the development of the banking sector, Georgia’s capital markets were expanding.
“As the banking sector develops, Georgia’s capital markets are also expanding. Interest is growing in both government and corporate bonds, contributing to the diversification of funding sources. Together, these efforts are shaping a more dynamic, competitive, and future-oriented financial ecosystem, opening new opportunities for sustainable investment growth”, he said.
“Georgia remains an open economy, ready to deepen ties with our international partners to achieve stronger cooperation and unlock new opportunities. I am confident that today’s discussion will offer practical pathways and contribute to the further strengthening of the banking sector”, Kobakhidze concluded.
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Gross external debt of Georgia amounts to USD 26.9 billion - NBG
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The gross external debt of Georgia amounted to 26.9 billion USD (72.4 billion GEL) as of 31st of December 2025. It stood at 70.4 percent of the annual 2025 GDP, the National Bank of Georgia (NBG) reported.
According to the NBG, during the fourth quarter of 2025, the gross external debt of Georgia decreased by 352.7 million USD. Out of that, due to transactions debt decreased by 440.1 million USD, and due to other changes by 14.6 million USD. At the same time, exchange rate changes led to an increase of 72.7 million USD and price changes by 29.4 million USD.
“Public sector external debt amounted to 11.7 billion USD (31.6 billion GEL) or 30.7 percent of GDP, out of which, debt of the general government amounted to 9.2 billion USD (24.8 billion GEL) or 24.1 percent of GDP. External liabilities of the National Bank of Georgia amounted to 780.9 million USD (2.1 billion GEL) or 2.0 percent of GDP, and the bonds and loans of public enterprises were correspondingly 473.1 million USD (1.3 billion GEL) or 1.2 percent of GDP and 1.3 billion USD (3.4 billion GEL) and 3.3 percent of GDP.
Banking sector external debt amounted to 9.5 billion USD (25.5 billion GEL) or 24.8 percent of GDP; Other sectors’ external debt stood at 5.0 billion USD (13.4 billion GEL) or 13.0 percent of GDP; While 2.4 billion USD (6.6 billion GEL) or 6.4 percent of GDP was the intercompany lending. 86.7 percent of the gross external debt of Georgia was denominated in a foreign currency.
The net external debt of Georgia amounted to 12.6 billion USD (34.0 billion GEL) or 33.1 percent of the 2025 annual GDP. Net public sector external debt was 5.6 billion USD (15.0 billion GEL) or 14.6 percent of GDP.
External liabilities of the National Bank of Georgia decreased by 38.6 million USD, out of that, transactions led to a decrease in external debt by 37.5 million USD and exchange rate changes led to a decrease by 1.0 million USD. By the end of 2025, the external debt of the National Bank of Georgia amounted to 780.9 million USD, of which 475.5 million USD are Special Drawing Rights (SDR), which have no maturity date, therefore, there is no obligation to repay them as long as Georgia is a member of the IMF,” the NBG said.
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