Today marks exactly 30 years since October 2, 1995, when the Lari was declared the sole legal tender across the entire territory of Georgia. The past three decades have been filled with both achievements and challenges. Throughout this time, the Lari has fully served its primary purpose – to be a reliable and stable currency for economic relations and the daily lives of our citizens. For each of us, the Lari is more than money – it is a symbol of freedom, unity, and national identity. It continues the 26-century-long history of Georgian money, which began with the Colchian tetri, a vivid testament to the ancient civilization and rich economic past of our land. Even the name of our currency is rooted in our heritage – lari is a Georgian word denoting property, treasure, and wealth.

The introduction of the Lari was a milestone in the history of Georgia’s development. It is one of the most important symbols of our statehood and, at the same time, the cornerstone of independent monetary policy. Following the restoration of Georgia’s independence on April 9, 1991, the foundations of an independent monetary and credit system were laid. Of particular importance were the laws adopted on August 2 of that year by the Supreme Council of the Republic of Georgia – “On the National Bank,” “On Monetary and Credit Regulation,” and “On Banks and Banking Activity.” From that moment, official preparations began for the design, name, and technical parameters of the national currency. We must also gratefully acknowledge the support and assistance of the International Monetary Fund, which remains to this day one of our most important and trusted partners.

Above all, the Lari has brought us stability. At the same time, it has strengthened our sovereignty and later became a symbol of unity and freedom – a true achievement of independent Georgia. Now it is time to write a new chapter in our history, one that depends on the actions we take and the trust of the Georgian people. I am glad that against the backdrop of economic stability, public confidence in the Lari continues to grow. This is largely the result of consistent de-dollarization policies, effective monetary policy, and strong supervisory approaches implemented by the National Bank of Georgia. The results are tangible – while in the past 70–80% of deposits were denominated in foreign currency, today nearly half of all deposits (50%) are held in Lari, and the share of residents’ deposits in Lari has risen even further to 57%.

The 30th anniversary of the Lari has been celebrated with a wide range of events and initiatives. The National Bank of Georgia hosted a major international forum, relaunched its scientific and analytical journal, issued commemorative collector coins in gold, silver, and copper-nickel of the 5 Lari denomination, and released a special 50 Lari commemorative banknote.

In addition, at the initiative of the National Bank of Georgia, Georgian Post has issued a thematic postage stamp, while the Public Broadcaster has produced a documentary film dedicated to the life and work of Iason Lortkipanidze, the first head of the State Bank of Georgia. This year, Economist’s Day was traditionally marked by a conference dedicated to the 30th anniversary of the Lari’s introduction. Further events are planned through the end of the year, including educational initiatives.

Once again, I warmly congratulate the entire nation on the 30th anniversary of the Lari – and extend my gratitude to everyone who contributed to the currency reform, those who prepared the economic foundations for the introduction of the Georgian Lari, and all who played even the smallest role in this vital undertaking for the Georgian state.