Businessman Davit Khidasheli is buying VTB BANK Georgia. Davit Khidasheli managed Intracom Telecom, one of the subsidiaries of Russian oligarch Vladimir Evtushenkov's AFK Sistema from 2013 to April 2022. He also held the position of Vice President. It is also known that he bought "Rike Jugs" at an auction held in March for GEL 10 million.
In addition, his name is associated with the lease of a forest in Racha. In particular, a few months ago, businessman Khidasheli confirmed that his company "Ltd HG Kapra Kaukasika" took a 1,047 square kilometer forest in Racha for GEL 1.1 million on a 49-year lease. The mentioned forest represents one third of the area of Racha. As it became known then, the businessman is planning to set up a hunting farm in accordance with the international standards.
Shortly after the imposition of international sanctions on Russia, VTB Bank sold the largest part of its assets in Georgia. In particular, VTB Bank Georgia handed over the SME portfolio to "Liberty Bank", as well as the branch chain in Tbilisi and regions to "Basis Bank". As a result of these transactions, the bank's assets decreased by GEL 1.6 billion to GEL 500 million.
Until now, it was unknown who would buy the "VTB" license and the remaining assets. As Papuna Lezhava, vice-president of the National Bank of Georgia, told BMG TV a few days ago, the sale of VTB Bank would be in compliance with the regime of international sanctions.
