Despite the fact that in 2008 Georgia suffered two external shocks (which correspondingly had negative effects on the Georgian economy), the country completed the year 2008 with highest end-of-year level of International Reserves. 

According to the preliminary data for December 2008, the volume of official international reserves exceeded 1,460 million USD, an increase of 7% from 2007's level.

International Reserves are formed by currency purchased by the National Bank, revenues received from reserves management, currency revenues of government and other sources. In the first part of 2008, private sector investments influenced the increase in reserves while, in the second half, preferential loans and grants received by the government affected the increase in the reserves.

International reserves are used by the National Bank of Georgia for conducting operations in international markets and regulating changes in investment portfolios. Additionally, these reserves are used to serve external debt and finance state procurement abroad. The NBG's International Reserves are allocated in deposits and AAA securities of the US and European Banks. The current level of the International Reserves is the guarantee of the stable operations of the financial and currency markets of Georgia.