“According to the International Monetary Fund, Georgia is expected to achieve the highest average economic growth in the region and among European countries, at 5.1% annually over the next 5 years,” stated the Prime Minister of Georgia, Irakli Kobakhidze.
Speaking at the Capital Markets International Conference, the Prime Minister also noted that, according to the World Bank’s 2025 Business Ready ranking, Georgia’s business environment is among the top four globally, alongside Korea, Singapore, and Estonia.
Below is the speech as delivered:
“It is a great honor for me to greet you at the Second Capital Markets International Conference in Tbilisi. I would like to start by expressing my gratitude to TBC Capital and the National Bank of Georgia for organizing this important event.
Today’s gathering brings together a unique mix of global investors, policymakers and leading financial institutions at a time when economic and geopolitical developments are directly shaping financial markets. We live in a period of significant global change, where developments in one part of the world immediately affect energy prices, supply chains and emerging markets in another.
In this complex environment, Georgia’s role is becoming increasingly relevant. Our geographic position, combined with ongoing infrastructure development, positions us as an important link within the Middle Corridor, connecting Europe with Central Asia and beyond. Supporting this role requires not only physical connectivity, but also the development of strong, transparent and efficient capital markets.
For the Government of Georgia, capital market development is a top-tier national priority. A well-functioning capital market is essential for economic growth. They enable efficient allocation of resources, support private sector growth and provide access to long-term financing.
At the same time, capital markets depend on macroeconomic stability. I am proud to share that Georgia’s economic performance in recent years has been strong and resilient.
Between 2021 and 2025, Georgia achieved an average real GDP growth of 9.3% and we have carried this strength into 2026, maintaining a robust growth of 7.9% in the first month of this year alone. This growth is driven by structural improvements and high-productivity sectors, making our economy increasingly competitive.
This progress is also reflected in leading international assessments. According to the International Monetary Fund, Georgia is expected to achieve the highest average economic growth in the region and among European countries, at 5.1% annually over the next 5 years. The World Bank’s Business Ready 2025 rankings place Georgia among the Top 4 economies globally for the business environment, alongside Korea, Singapore and Estonia. We are also ranked among the Top 10 countries worldwide in several key business indicators, including second place globally in operational efficiency and dispute resolutions. Furthermore, the Chandler Good Government Index highlights Georgia’s strong institutional performance and ranks the country among the global leaders in attracting investment. Together, these assessments underline a clear message – Georgia offers stable, predictable and competitive environment for investment and business growth.
The key indicator of this progress is the stability of our financial sector and the strength of our national currency. A decade ago, most deposits were held in foreign currency. Today, through consistent policy and growing public trust, that share has been significantly reduced. Confidence in the Lari is at an all-time high, providing the stability that international investors seek.
This confidence was clearly reflected at the beginning of this year during our Eurobond issuance. Despite the global economic turbulence, demand from international investors for Georgian securities was five and a half times the amount offered. This is a strong signal of confidence in Georgia’s economic outlook.
We are also witnessing a historic surge in our domestic corporate bond market. In 2025, we saw the highest issuance activity on record, with the public corporate bond market expanding by 33.3% compared to the previous year. This reflects a maturing ecosystem where Georgian businesses are ready to compete and global investors are ready to partner.
At the same time, we are advancing structural reforms to further deepen our capital market. The introduction of the funded pension system has already led to significant capital accumulation, with assets under management approaching 9 billion GEL. This is creating a strong base of long-term domestic investors. In parallel, we are implementing our Capital Market Development Strategy, focused on improving market infrastructure, expanding financing instruments and ensuring a transparent and investor-friendly regulatory environment aligned with international standards.
Ladies and Gentlemen, this is currently the largest and most influential capital markets conference in our region. To our global guests: Georgia is open for business. We are not just offering a market; we are offering a partnership in a long-term growth story.
We remain steadfast in our commitment to maintaining a stable, predictable and investor-friendly environment. We will continue to push forward with the reforms necessary to build a world-class capital market ecosystem that serves both our national interests and your investment goals.
I am confident that the insights shared today will lead to practical steps and lasting partnerships. I wish you all a highly productive, insightful and successful conference.”
