• TBC Business Awards 2023 Winners Announced

TBC has unveiled the recipients of the prestigious Business Award 2023 within its business support initiative. Selected by a distinguished jury from over 400 contenders, the winners across five categories showcase remarkable achievements.

1. „Stockton“: Recognized for Best Product Design, Stockton, a label and music management firm, enhances both the working conditions for musicians and the overall musical experience for audiences. Their innovative approach involves close collaboration with artists at every phase, resulting in a distinct audio-visual journey.
2. „Enthebi“: Awarded for Outstanding Customer Experience, Enthebi, an accounting and financial services provider catering to over 500 clients daily, revolutionizes the market with its simplified and efficient services since its establishment in 2015. By leveraging technology to automate accounting processes, they not only reduce costs but also tailor services for small and medium enterprises, marking a significant shift towards digitalization.
3. „Babale“: In a heartfelt tribute to the late Nana Janashia, the founder of the Caucasus Network of Environmental Organizations and a longstanding jury member, the category of Outstanding Social Responsibility now bears her name. This year’s recipient, Babale, champions the cause of employing individuals with disabilities in Georgia. Founded to support the employment and independence of young people with Down syndrome, Babale provides comprehensive training and employment opportunities, currently employing four individuals with Down syndrome and training sixteen teenagers for future employment.
4. 4. „Tene:** Recognized with a Special Award for Green Initiatives. The company’s innovative approach includes minimizing primary plastic usage by adopting secondary bottle caps in production. To foster waste management habits, Tene launched campaigns encouraging individuals to collect bottle caps in exchange for USB cables. Another initiative focuses on addressing e-waste by repairing damaged USB cables and reintroducing them into circulation.

Furthermore, Tene has transitioned its production processes to rely solely on renewable energy sources, such as solar panels, to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions. In addition to managing plastic waste, Tene also addresses the disposal of bottle tar by collaborating with processing companies. To streamline bottle disposal, Tene developed the “Botliklapia” device and its electronic registration system in Georgian, simplifying the process for consumers.

„Khma“, a women’s clothing and accessories brand, received a special award for promoting gender equality, inspired by Kato Mikeladze’s pioneering work in empowering women through journalism. Since its inception, Khma has been advocating self-love and challenging societal stereotypes.

„KLIPY“, recognized as the “Best Innovative Startup,” is a leading platform for voice GIFs and stickers, facilitating monetization for major messengers and social networks through programmatic ads. With millions of active users already, KLIPY’s integration with major messaging apps like Viber is imminent, projected to reach 20 million users by next year.

„Herbia“, a certified organic herbs and vegetables company, was lauded for its significant regional development role. Operating since 2006, Herbia has become a top producer of greenhouse-grown produce in Georgia, maintaining high-quality standards and environmental practices while fostering partnerships with local farmers.

Mikheil Svimonishvili, founder of “Tskali Margebeli,” was honored for his substantial contributions to business development since 1997, spanning initiatives like Nabeglavi mineral water and the Marneuli food factory, positively impacting Georgia’s economy and business landscape.

• TBC excels in trade financing, earning recognition from Euromoney with two prestigious awards.

Praised for its market leadership and exemplary service provision in Georgia, TBC secured this acknowledgment based on criteria including transaction volume, international coverage, customer relations, competitive pricing, and innovative approaches.

TBC’s accolades stem from various successful projects in trade financing, notably its collaboration with EBRD. This partnership marked a milestone as EBRD provided factoring financing resources in local currency to a Georgian bank for the first time in the Caucasus. Through flexible products, modern platforms, and strong international partnerships, TBC facilitates import-export activities for numerous companies. Their tailored services garnered them the title of the best corporate bank in Georgia for 2024.

With a commanding 46% market share and a portfolio exceeding 2 billion GEL, TBC supports over 1,000 businesses, ranging from large enterprises to SMEs and international corporations, with their trade financing solutions.

The year 2023 saw TBC clinching awards from EBRD, ADB, Global Finance, and Euromoney, further solidifying its position as a leader in trade financing.

• The final phase of construction for Greenhill Residences, situated on University Street in Saburtalo, is currently underway with the support of TBC.

Located at #24 University Street, Greenhill Residence spans 33,500 square meters, encompassing residential buildings along with commercial, sports, recreational, and children’s areas.

Construction progresses through multiple stages, with the first three stages already completed, comprising 10 blocks. The last phase, comprising two residential blocks, is situated 80 meters away from the finished blocks.

The complex boasts a comprehensive infrastructure, including a 5000 square meter green, protected courtyard, children’s and sports fields, a square, a 25-meter swimming pool, a gym, a spa, and up to 400 parking spaces.

Advantages of the complex include views of the Vere and Tsknet rivers, an ecologically clean environment facilitated by the Vere Valley, proximity to a metro station within 500 meters, and a hypermarket just 100 meters away.

Apartments in the complex start from 53 square meters and are available in either white frame or fully renovated according to residents’ preferences.

Construction of the final phase is scheduled for completion by December 2025.

For more information about the project, visit the following links:

• https://www.facebook.com/GreenHillResidenceTbilisi

https://greenhill.ge/en/

• Discover the week’s top stocks on TBC Digital Bank with new features aimed at simplifying investment decisions.

The platform now includes three modules:

1. Popular Promotions: Features companies experiencing high trading activity globally.
2. Analysts’ Picks: Showcases companies with positive outlooks from Wall Street experts.
3. Top Growing Stocks: Highlights companies with the strongest growth trends of the week.

While analysts base their forecasts on extensive research, including financial performance and market trends, it’s important to consider other factors and risks when investing. Updating the TBC Digital Bank app unveils these modules, aiding investors in making informed choices. ***Remember, this isn’t financial advice – invest wisely.

• TBC Digital Bank: Streamlining Your Daily Banking Needs

TBC’s dedicated tech team is committed to delivering an exceptional banking app experience, ensuring customers can manage their finances independently from anywhere. Here’s how TBC Digital Bank solves six common daily banking needs:

1. **Easy Card Management**: Unblock your card in three simple steps if blocked due to incorrect PIN entries, directly from the app’s main page.
2. **PIN Code Update**: Forget your PIN? No worries. Update it directly from the app after a quick security verification via SMS, without visiting a branch or contacting the call center.
3. **Convenient Online Shopping**: Access your card details instantly with a simple button tap, eliminating the hassle of searching for your physical card while making online purchases.
4. **Instant Card Security**: Quickly block your card from the app if lost or stolen, providing peace of mind with just a tap. Easily unblock it if found later.
5. **Transaction Refunds**: Initiate refunds directly to your card through the online bank, with the option to spread the refunded amount over multiple months.
6. **Remote Card Subscription**: Subscribe to a new card set remotely, customizing conditions and color preferences. Receive the physical card within 24 hours, while instantly using the digital counterpart to seize any desired offers.

TBC continually enhances its digital bank with innovative and personalized features to further elevate customer banking experiences. Download the digital bank today and simplify your daily financial tasks.

• TBC Capital hosted the first international capital market conference in Georgia

TBC Capital responded to the rapid development of the local capital market with a new initiative and hosted the first international capital market conference in Georgia.

Leading players of the local and international capital market participated in the conference: J.P. Morgan, Citi, Fidelity Investments, National Bank of Georgia, Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia, Baker McKenzie, Dentons, BLC Law, Amundi, ADB, EBRD, IFC, Georgian issuers, and others.

The world’s leading experts participating in the conference, together with the TBC Capital team, shared their experience, market trends, and development prospects.

“We have laid the foundations of a very important tradition in the form of the first international capital market conference, which we will host every year. In Tbilisi, organized by TBC Capital, a very important audience gathered in the form of conference participants and guests: government officials, representatives of international investment banks such as J.P. Morgan and Citi, industry experts, international institutional investors, and local issuers. We are witnesses and participants of the unprecedented growth of the capital market. The local market of public bonds has experienced special growth, doubling last year and reaching 2 billion GEL. TBC, as the leading financial institution of the country, responds to the rapid growth of the market with this conference, where all related parties gathered together, discussed the market results, and evaluated future potential and prospects. Our goal is to further promote market development with the inaugural and future traditional conference of the capital market in Georgia,” said Giorgi Tkhelidze, Deputy General Director of TBC.

At the conference, within the framework of individual speeches and panel discussions, several important topics were covered:

– In the global context, the regional debt capital market and its impact on Georgia.

– Regional Eurobond market prospects and expectations for 2024 – assessing the favorability for both bond issuance and fixed income investment.

– TBC Capital research on bond market development in Georgia.

– Institutional support for capital market development – existing programs and strategies for attracting investments from international financial institutions.

– Sustainable debt capital markets.

– ESG bonds and sustainable financing.

– Local bonds versus Eurobonds.

– Successful experiences of existing issuers and practical advice.

– Asset management prospects in Georgia.

• “Kisa” collaborates with TBC to craft natural leather bags and accessories, inspired by Georgian tradition.

Launched six years ago, “Kisa” specializes in leather handbags and accessories, primarily targeting foreign markets. With a focus on exports, the brand predominantly sells in the United States through platforms like Etsy and Amazon. In addition to online success, “Kisa” operates a factory and showroom in Tbilisi, offering insight into their production process and enabling direct purchases.

The brand boasts a diverse range of 40 products, including wallets, handbags, backpacks, and more, selling approximately 1200 to 1500 units annually across various platforms. Orders are placed through their website, where customers can choose designs before the Qisa team, based in Georgia, meticulously handcrafts each item from premium leather within two days. Products are then shipped globally, reaching markets in the USA, Canada, Great Britain, Germany, and France.

“Kisa” has streamlined its operations, achieving 95% of sales abroad through digitalized order management. Despite their international success, they aim to expand their presence locally, encouraging more products to be available in their Tbilisi showroom. Moreover, “Kisa” offers training courses in leathercraft, providing tools and materials for aspiring artisans to learn and enter the industry.

Recently, “Kisa” secured a grant from USAID to enhance their export capabilities and facilitate job creation, marking another milestone in their journey.

• Google’s Women Techmakers, in collaboration with TBC, hosted a tech event called “Change the Future”

In collaboration with TBC, Google’s Women Techmakers initiative hosted a significant tech event named “Change the Future” on March 14 at the terminal. This marked Georgia’s sixth time hosting the event, which is part of the global Women Techmakers program by Google. Attendees engaged with various professional tech topics, including technological education, generative AI, and low tech solutions. Elena Kvaratskhelia, WTM Ambassador, TBC Developer, and Chapter Leader, emphasized the event’s importance in introducing women to technology and sharing success stories. Supported by Google, TBC, UN Women, and Terminal, the event featured three spaces and numerous compelling speakers, aiming to inspire women entering the tech field and benefitting Georgia as a whole.