The increase in oil prices in international markets and the deterioration of investor sentiment in the stock market led to a correction in the annual dynamics of portfolios. This was most evident in portfolios with a high share of international equities: Dynamic Portfolio: -3.08% decrease Balanced Portfolio: -1.85% decrease Conservative Portfolio: -0.39% slight decrease According to the fund, the stability of the portfolios was maintained by the stable profitability of local assets. Despite the March decline, all three portfolios have remained positive since the beginning of the year, and the annualized returns since their creation range from 11% to 13%.There are currently 1 million 727 thousand people enrolled in the pension scheme. As of March 31, 2026, 30,138 people have already benefited from the accumulated pension, for which a total of GEL 145.5 million was issued.The Fund also warns citizens that from April 9 to April 13, due to the holidays, it will be impossible to receive services both on the hotline and at the branches of the House of Justice and at the Fund's reception area.

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As Natia Turnava noted during her speech at the briefing, she is pleased that the IMF mission has positively assessed Georgia’s monetary and fiscal policies."The IMF noted that the country's monetary policy is prudent, which is most important in a challenging global environment. It also highlighted Georgia's high economic activity and improved external position. As you know, the current account deficit was historically low, amounting to 2.6% of GDP in 2025. For us, the National Bank, this means that there are still favorable conditions for the continuation of the accumulation of international reserves. There are also strong foreign exchange inflows through various channels, including trade. The IMF also noted in its review that last year foreign exchange reserves reached a record high and for the first time since 2022, the volume of international reserves exceeded the 100% adequacy threshold last year," Natia Turnava noted.She also spoke about inflationary expectations and emphasized that sentiments are well managed in terms of inflationary expectations. According to her, at the same time, it is necessary to take into account the ongoing hostilities in the Middle East, which caused high volatility in international commodity markets, including the Georgian market, and disruptions in logistics chains, which is an additional pressure on prices."This is an additional inflationary shock, the strength of which will depend on the duration of the conflict and the stabilization of oil prices in the international market. Therefore, this is a challenge that we must respond to with cautious and effective monetary policy steps, for which we are ready," added the President of NBG.According to Natia Turnava, one of the issues discussed within the framework of the IMF mission's visit was the improvement of the governance of the National Bank. According to her, according to the IMF's assessment, the recommendations of the IMF in terms of governance improvements have been partially implemented by the Georgian government, while work is underway on the rest.

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The IMF said inflationary pressures have increased since the outbreak of the conflict in the Middle East, but core inflation remains low. Inflation was 4% at the end of 2025 and reached 4.3% in March 2026, reflecting rising prices for imported food and oil, partly due to the ongoing war in the Middle East. At the same time, core inflation remains below the National Bank of Georgia’s (NBG) 3% target.According to the IMF’s forecast, inflation will remain high in the first half of 2026, driven by rising fuel and electricity prices, and will return to the target by mid-2027, as the effects of one-off increases in food and energy prices are offset, demand declines moderately, and the output gap closes.In line with the IMF’s recommendation, monetary and exchange rate policies should remain focused on ensuring that inflation returns to the target in a sustainable manner. “While the current policy framework accommodates temporary supply-side shocks, the National Bank of Georgia has rightly signaled its readiness to tighten policy if inflationary pressures persist, second-round effects emerge, or inflation expectations become fixed”.The IMF also responds to the interventions, noting that exchange rate flexibility should be maintained and foreign exchange interventions should be limited to mitigating episodes of excessive volatility. They also say that, where possible, continuing to accumulate international reserves would further strengthen precautionary buffers in the face of Georgia’s high dollarization.Progress on the governance reform of the National Bank of Georgia remains important to strengthen institutional safeguards. The financial institution says most of the recommendations of the IMF’s 2022 Security Assessment have already been implemented, including the removal of discretionary transfers to the government, and IMF technical assistance has facilitated further progress.“Steps have already been taken, including the redistribution of responsibilities among executive members and the strengthening of the succession system for the President of the National Bank, which is positively assessed. The authorities also plan to reform the mechanisms for collegial decision-making and the qualification requirements for Board members. Further strengthening of the Board’s oversight mechanisms is important to ensure that the National Bank’s governance framework is fully consistent with international best practices,” the IMF said.It should be recalled that the monetary policy was set at 8% in May 2024 under the previous President of the National Bank, Koba Gvenetadze, and since then, under the current President, Natia Turnava, the Committee has not changed its decision.

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According to the Finance Minister, the title of a bank is an incorrect definition for this instrument. According to him, the presentation of this structure will clarify what mandate this fund will have and what functional load it will have.Alejandro Hagenberg, the head of the International Monetary Fund mission, stated at today's summary briefing regarding the institution that "such an institution exists in many countries, there are also very bad examples in the world, and it is important that it is done correctly if it is to be done. There must be logic in the existence of a development institution - the transparency of this bank will be important".A development bank is a financial institution created by the state or with the participation of the state, the purpose of which is to provide long-term and preferential financial resources to strategic sectors - infrastructure, industry, export, energy, agribusiness and small and medium-sized businesses.In world practice, such institutions play an important role in stimulating economic growth. For example, in Germany, KfW operates, which has become one of the main financial instruments for the country's reconstruction after World War II. In Brazil, BNDES operates, which plays a leading role in financing industry and large infrastructure projects.The idea of ​​establishing a development bank in Georgia has been discussed periodically at the economic policy level for years, especially when the private banking sector has been talking about a shortage of long-term and low-interest resources. The issue becomes active during periods of economic slowdown, regional challenges, or the need to finance large infrastructure projects.Supporters of the initiative say that the development bank will contribute to: Financing long-term investment projects Export growth Support for local production Development of strategic infrastructure However, critics point to risks, including politicization, ineffective management, and the possibility of increasing public debt. International experience shows that the success of such an institution largely depends on transparent governance, a clear mandate, and strong oversight mechanisms.

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According to her, integration into SEPA is of strategic importance for the country, as Georgia serves as a connecting corridor between Europe and Asia, and trade turnover and remittances with Eurozone countries are constantly growing.The President of the National Bank of Georgia identified three main areas where reforms have been practically completed:1. Harmonization of the legislative frameworkAccording to Turnava, the most important step was the approximation of supervisory policies and practices with the EU directives on the prevention of money laundering and terrorist financing. According to him, the progress achieved in this regard was reflected in a number of international ratings and reports, which increases trust between Georgia and the European financial systems.2. Regulation of virtual assetsThe President of the National Bank of Georgia emphasized ensuring transparency in operations related to crypto assets. The developed framework allows virtual asset entities to be managed in accordance with international standards. This progress laid the foundation for Moneyval to improve Georgia's assessment in relation to Recommendation 15.3. Technological infrastructureOne of the main requirements of SEPA is the existence of an appropriate infrastructure. According to Turnava, with the support of the World Bank, the implementation of an instant payment system is underway in a planned manner, the main part of which will be completed this year. In addition, a centralized registry of accounts will be created along with the system, which is a necessary prerequisite from a technological point of view.“We believe that most of the issues have been completed or there are very clear deadlines for the ongoing processes. Of course, we would like the accession process to proceed faster, but we are in constant communication with the relevant structures and we hope that the process will be accelerated,” said Natia Turnava.Georgia submitted its application for SEPA membership in September 2022. It is noteworthy that Moldova, which submitted its application in 2024, has already managed to become part of the system. Inclusion in SEPA will allow Georgian businesses and citizens to conduct transactions in euros without intermediary banks, with minimal commissions and under the same conditions that EU citizens enjoy.

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Georgia’s economic performance has been robust, supported by sound macroeconomic management and policies. At the same time, amid rising global uncertainty, notably from the war in the Middle East, the outlook is becoming more challenging. Assuming the conflict is short-lived, growth is expected to remain strong, albeit moderating, extending the solid performance observed in recent years. While headline inflation has risen above target due to higher food and energy prices, core inflation remains contained. The external position has strengthened, with the current account deficit narrowing and gross international reserves reaching historic highs. Fiscal policy continues to be disciplined, with public debt at a low level. Although the outlook is clouded by heightened geopolitical risks—including due to a possibly protracted war in the Middle East—Georgia is well positioned to absorb external shocks, supported by strong macroeconomic fundamentals and policy buffers. Looking ahead, policies should focus on preserving macro-financial stability and hard-won credibility, while accelerating structural reforms to sustain strong growth and create more jobs.Recent economic developments, outlook, and risks. Growth momentum remained firm in early 2026, before the start of the war in the Middle East. Rapid estimates indicate that real GDP growth reached 8.4 percent in January-February, up from 7.5 percent in 2025. On the supply side, activity was driven by a sustained expansion in information and communication technology (ICT), transport, and education services. On the demand side, private consumption remained the main driver, supported by moderating but still solid real wage and consumer credit growth. Leading indicators suggest that the impact of the war on economic activity has so far been limited and concentrated mainly on tourism. Assuming the conflict is short-lived, real GDP growth is projected to ease to 5.3 percent this year before converging to its potential rate of around 5 percent in the medium term.Inflation pressures have increased since the start of the conflict, but core inflation remained subdued. After ending 2025 at 4 percent, headline inflation stood at 4.3 percent in March, reflecting higher imported food and oil prices, partly related to the war in the Middle East, while core inflation remained below the National Bank of Georgia’s (NBG) 3 percent target. Inflation is projected to stay elevated in the first half of 2026, driven by increases in fuel and electricity prices, before converging to target by mid-2027 as the one-off effects of higher food and energy prices dissipate, demand moderates, and the output gap closes.The external position has strengthened but is exposed to volatile energy prices and tourism receipts. According to initial estimates, the current account deficit narrowed to 2.6 percent of GDP in 2025, supported by strong services exports, lower energy import costs, and robust remittances. Gross international reserves rose to historic highs, exceeding the IMF’s reserve adequacy threshold for the first time since 2022, reflecting sizable foreign exchange (FX) purchases amid strong external inflows and deposit de-dollarization, as well as valuation gains. The current account deficit is projected to widen to 5 percent of GDP in 2026, driven by higher oil prices and lower tourism receipts, and to stabilize around this level over the medium term, as the closing output gap and continued growth of less import-intensive exports—such as ICT and education services—help contain imports.Fiscal performance has been strong. The fiscal deficit declined well below budget targets in 2025, reflecting robust revenues and under-execution of capital spending, while public debt fell below 35 percent of GDP. The 2026 budget appropriately targets a deficit of 2.5 percent of GDP, envisaging a rebound in capital spending. The implementation and procurement bottlenecks experienced last year are expected to ease, with major infrastructure projects moving forward. The outturn is projected to be somewhat lower than budgeted, supported by higher-than-expected NBG dividends and strong revenue performance. The successful rollover of a $500 million Eurobond in January underscores investor confidence in Georgia’s macroeconomic fundamentals and policy credibility.

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Namely, Lion Finance Group (BGEO LN) shares closed at GBP 97.00/share (+4.02% w/w and -12.14% m/m). More than 294k shares traded in the range of GBP 90.85 - 97.15/share. Average daily traded volume was 114k in the last 4 weeks. The volume of BGEO shares traded was at 0.68% of its capitalization.TBC Bank Group (TBCG LN) closed the week at GBP 43.15/share (+5.50% w/w and -2.82% m/m). More than 319k shares changed hands in the range of GBP 39.70 - 43.45/share. Average daily traded volume was 66k in the last 4 weeks. The volume of TBCG shares traded was at 0.57% of its capitalization.Georgia Capital (CGEO LN) shares closed at GBP 38.75/share (+8.85% w/w and +5.73% m/m). More than 268k shares traded in the range of GBP 34.85 - 38.80/share. Average daily traded volume was 58k in the last 4 weeks. The volume of CGEO shares traded was at 0.78% of its capitalization.

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The Central Banking Meetings forum in Kuala Lumpur brought together central bankers and senior representatives from Japan, Malaysia, India, Turkey, Romania, Azerbaijan, New Zealand, Switzerland, South Korea, Singapore, Saudi Arabia, China, and other countries.According to the National Bank of Georgia, the event was designed to facilitate the sharing of practical experience amongst central bank leaders and to deepen cooperation, with a view to developing joint strategies, strengthening regional integration, and introducing innovative solutions.Speaking during the panel discussions, Ekaterine Galdava drew attention to the reforms undertaken by the National Bank of Georgia and to the importance of regional payment integration.She noted that the foundation of a successful, interoperable payments ecosystem rests upon modern domestic payments infrastructure, shared technical standards, and effective regional coordination.“The National Bank of Georgia is actively working on upgrading its Real-Time Gross Settlement (RTGS) system. The upgraded system will have the technical capacity to operate on a 24/7 basis and will support multi-currency transfers. Furthermore, the introduction of an Instant Payment System (IPS) is planned for the end of 2026, which will enable users to carry out transactions within seconds, at any time of day. Both systems will be built on the ISO 20022 messaging standard, which will significantly improve the interoperability of payment systems both domestically and at the international level,” said Ekaterine Galdava.The NBG Vice President also spoke about Georgia’s strategic location and the significance of the Middle Corridor, noting that the country is well-positioned to become a regional financial hub between Europe and Asia.“Georgia’s strategic location affords us a unique opportunity to become the region’s financial hub between Europe and Asia. Real-time payments and the integration of payment systems will, in turn, facilitate trade growth, reduce transaction costs, and strengthen regional economic ties,” she stated.During the panel discussion held as part of Central Banking Meetings, Ekaterine Galdava also addressed the introduction of financial innovations in Georgia, underlining that the National Bank of Georgia is actively fostering financial innovation across both regulatory and technological development fronts.She further noted that the NBG has already introduced a regulatory framework for digital banks and virtual asset service providers, established regulatory and technical sandboxes, and developed a fintech development strategy, all of which serve to ensure the safe integration of artificial intelligence within the financial sector.The panel discussion held as part of the Central Banking international conference also featured the participation of Aleksandre Ergeshidze, Head of the Specialised Risks Department at the NBG. The panel addressed cyber threats facing the financial sector and the means to tackle them, as well as practical strategies for cyber risk management and the role of central banks in this regard.

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Balance of goods remains the main driver of the current account balance. Trade in goods deficit increased by 6.3 percent year-on-year, amounting to USD 1.9 billion (GEL 5.0 billion) in the fourth quarter of 2025.The improvement in the current account balance in the fourth quarter of 2025 was primarily driven by increased service exports. In particular, the services surplus rose by 14.1 percent, or USD 256.6 million, compared to the same period of the previous year, reaching USD 1,038.5 million. The travel services exports reached USD 1.1 billion (GEL 2.8 billion) in the fourth quarter of 2025, up by 9.2 percent annually. Exports of transportation services remained at a high level, amounting to USD 418.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2025, equivalent to 3.9 percent of GDP. Meanwhile, income from exports of computer and information services also continued to grow, reaching USD 357.0 million in the fourth quarter of 2025 and accounting for 3.4 percent of GDP.Net income account totaled USD -634.5 million (GEL -1.7 billion) in the fourth quarter of 2025. Net compensation of employees, the positive component of income account increased by 18.4 percent year-on-year while net investment income - the negative component grew by 9.1 percent over the same period.The current transfers account remained positive. Credits of current transfers increased by 14.7 percent year-on-year, totaling USD 1.0 billion (GEL 2.7 billion). Net transfers of the private sector rose by 15.0 percent, amounting to USD 945.4 million (GEL 2.6 billion).The current account deficit is predominantly financed by foreign direct investment. Net foreign direct investment amounted to USD 374.4 million (GEL 1.0 billion) in the reporting period, accounting for 3.5 percent of GDP.

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International assets totaled USD 19.9 billion (GEL 53.7 billion) as of December 31, 2025, increasing by USD 2.6 billion compared to the previous year.International liabilities increased by USD 5.1 billion during the year, reaching USD 52.3 billion (GEL 140.8 billion).

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