Georgia aims to boost trade and investment along Middle Corridor - Georgian PM
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Tuesday said that deepening regional cooperation and positioning Georgia as a regional financial and technology hub were key government priorities, adding that the Tbilisi Financial Summit would help strengthen regional ties, expand investment opportunities and boost trade among countries along the Middle Corridor.
Speaking at the summit, Kobakhidze highlighted initiatives undertaken by the government and the National Bank of Georgia to increase competition in the financial sector, promote innovation and advance the development of digital services.
He noted that concrete steps had been taken in recent years, including the introduction of a regulatory framework for the registration and supervision of virtual asset service providers, as well as regulations governing the issuance of stable virtual assets.
“As a result, more than 40 virtual asset service providers are now operating in the market. Open banking has also been introduced, and a licensing framework for digital banks has been established, under which three digital banks are currently operating in Georgia. One of them was established through a Singaporean initiative”, Kobakhidze said.
The Prime Minister also highlighted the modernisation of payment systems initiated by the National Bank of Georgia, noting that these changes would improve access to financial services and create greater opportunities for fintech companies to develop and implement innovative projects.
“At the same time, with the involvement of the National Bank, regional cross-border payment projects are being developed to further deepen financial ties between our countries. We welcome the active cooperation of countries across the region in this regard”, he continued.
According to Kobakhidze, these initiatives are laying a solid foundation for a modern, innovative and competitive financial ecosystem in Georgia, which is essential for economic growth and deeper integration into international markets.
“Deepening regional cooperation and establishing Georgia as a regional financial and technology hub are priorities for our government, and the Tbilisi Financial Summit plays an important role in this process. I believe the summit will contribute to further strengthening regional cooperation, advancing our country’s economic development, expanding investment opportunities and enhancing trade relations among Middle Corridor countries”, Kobakhidze concluded.
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As part of the Tbilisi Finance Summit, Natia Turnava, Governor of the National Bank of Georgia (NBG), participated in a panel discussion titled “The Policy Dialogue: The Choices Defining 2027.” The discussion focused on safeguarding monetary and financial stability amid global shocks, the development of digital finance, and deeper regional financial integration.
Natia Turnava highlighted the NBG’s key priorities for 2027, including keeping inflation expectations anchored, strengthening international reserve buffers, and continuing the de-dollarization process. She noted that timely risk assessment, consistent policymaking, and strengthening the resilience of the financial system are particularly important for a small open economy.
The panel also addressed the modernization of Georgia’s payment infrastructure, the development of the fintech ecosystem, and the enhancement of the regulatory framework for digital finance. In addition to outlining reforms already implemented in these areas, Natia Turnava discussed future priorities, including the introduction of an instant payment system and enhanced interoperability with international payment systems.
The Governor of the National Bank of Georgia also emphasized the importance of regulatory cooperation among regional central banks. She noted that, amid growing trade and financial ties, facilitating cross-border payments, ensuring the timely exchange of information, and aligning supervisory frameworks would strengthen the region’s financial resilience and competitiveness.
“Resilience must be built before shocks materialize. For a small open economy like Georgia, credible policies and adequate buffers are particularly important. At the same time, our goal is to foster financial innovation while building a more efficient and interoperable payments environment. Through cooperation with our regional partners, we also seek to deepen economic and financial ties,” Natia Turnava stated.
The panel discussion brought together Natia Turnava and representatives of financial institutions from Albania, Armenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kazakhstan, and China.
The discussion was moderated by Sopnendu Mohanty, Group Chief Executive Officer of the Global Finance & Technology Network (GFTN).
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