Ekaterine Mikabadze, First Vice-Governor of the National Bank of Georgia, participated in the Business Forum of the Black Sea Trade and Development Bank (BSTDB).

The forum was dedicated to the investment environment in Georgia and the wider region, the needs of the private sector, business development prospects, and the deepening of regional cooperation. Significant projects implemented in Georgia with BSTDB financing were discussed during the event.

Ekaterine Mikabadze, First Vice-Governor of the National Bank of Georgia, welcomed the participants of the business forum. She noted that the Georgian economy has maintained strong momentum despite global fluctuations and geopolitical uncertainty. In 2021–2025, the average annual growth of real GDP was 9.3 percent, while in the first eight months of 2026, the average economic growth rate stood at 7.6 percent.

According to Ekaterine Mikabadze, Georgia's sustainable economic growth, attractive investment climate, developed financial sector, and strategic location at the crossroads of Europe and Asia are contributing to the creation of new investment opportunities in the country. The NBG's First Vice-Governor also highlighted the long-standing partnership between Georgia and the BSTDB.

"One of our main priorities is strengthening the sustainability of the financial sector and facilitating its development, which, in turn, creates opportunities to expand access to finance and attract capital. Leveraging these opportunities requires close cooperation among local financial institutions, international partners, and the private sector. International financial institutions such as the BSTDB can play an important role in supporting investments aimed at infrastructure development and enhancing regional connectivity, as well as financing other sectors that are essential to the long-term competitiveness and sustainable economic growth of Georgia and the region as a whole," noted Ekaterine Mikabadze.

Within the framework of the forum, an agreement was signed between the BSTDB and three Georgian commercial banks aimed at supporting small and medium-sized businesses and enhancing access to finance.

Representatives of international financial institutions, commercial banks, the business sector, and leading companies participated in the forum.

The BSTDB supports economic development and regional cooperation by providing loans, credit lines, equity participation, and guarantees for various projects and trade financing across the public and private sectors of its member countries. Georgia is one of the founding members of the Black Sea Trade and Development Bank. Since its establishment, the Bank has financed 46 projects in Georgia, allocating EUR 631 million for this purpose.