President of the National Bank of Georgia, Natia Turnava, stated during a plenary session of Parliament that multiple options are being considered for the future of Georgia's cooperation with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). She noted that the government’s economic team is actively engaged in discussing these possibilities.
“We still attach great importance to cooperation with the IMF. Their assessments are not only valuable for the financial sector’s stability, but also serve as important signals for international investors,” Turnava emphasized.
Her comments follow remarks made on June 4 by Alejandro Hajdenberg, the IMF Mission Chief, who reiterated that cooperation with Georgia could take various forms beyond formal programs. These include consultations, annual visits, and ongoing policy dialogue.
Turnava confirmed that the IMF’s most recent mission to Georgia had yielded positive conclusions, particularly in regard to macroeconomic management.
“The achievements of our economic team were noted—both fiscal discipline by the Ministry of Finance and monetary policy by the National Bank. We also discussed current risks and the resilience of the Georgian economy,” she said.
Turnava added that Georgia has expressed readiness to continue cooperation in alternative formats.
“We are open to active engagement in various frameworks. There are different modalities of cooperation, and the government’s economic team will evaluate them. Importantly, the IMF has also expressed its willingness to continue and deepen cooperation,” she told Parliament.
The IMF’s ongoing USD 180 million Extended Fund Facility program with Georgia was suspended in 2023, following the government's failure to meet certain agreed-upon conditions. The program officially expires on June 14, 2025.
Despite the suspension, both parties have indicated mutual interest in maintaining a collaborative relationship moving forward.
