Dafna: A Minimalist Cafe in Tbilisi and Batumi, Growing with TBC Business Support
“Daphna” is a minimalist-concept cafe that offers a fresh take on Georgian cuisine in an unconventional setting. Since its founding in 2017, it has become a well-known gathering spot in the city, attracting a diverse crowd—regulars, visitors of all ages, and friends who have made “Daphna” a tradition. Beyond serving delicious food, the cafe is known for its warm and inviting atmosphere.
Location and ambiance play a crucial role in its appeal. Situated in a historic building in the heart of Tbilisi, “Daphna” has preserved the old-world aesthetics that make it unique. This same vision led to the opening of a second location in Batumi. As founder Nikoloz Mameishvili shares, the team spent nearly two years searching for the right venue before discovering the former home of renowned Batumi doctor Platon Gigineishvili on Memed Abashidze Street.
“TBC played a major role in opening the Batumi branch. After years of successful collaboration, we once again turned to TBC, and this step proved to be invaluable. Beyond banking services, TBC has significantly contributed to increasing ‘Daphna’s’ brand awareness over the years,” says Mameishvili.
Looking ahead, “Daphna” plans to expand further, with a new concept venue set to open in the near future.
TBC Recognized as a Finalist for Best Bank in Trade Finance in Eastern Europe
TBC has been named a finalist for the Best Bank in Trade Finance in Eastern Europe at the Trade Leaders Award by Global Trade Review (GTR), a leading international media company in the trade finance industry. This marks the first time a Georgian bank has been nominated for this prestigious award.
TBC stands among top international financial institutions, competing in the finals alongside Raiffeisen Bank International, Ukrgasbank, and UniCredit.
The award recognizes financial institutions that have demonstrated exceptional performance in trade finance, fintech innovation, supply chain finance, and export financing.
The winners will be announced at the annual GTR charity event in London on June 26.
AWS GameDay: A Landmark Collaboration Between TBC IT Academy and AWS in Georgia
TBC, in partnership with Amazon Web Services (AWS), hosted the largest AWS GameDay in Georgia—marking the first internal GameDay held within the company. The event brought together DevOps engineers from TBC Group and DevOps students from TBC IT Academy for a hands-on, competitive learning experience.
AWS GameDay is a globally recognized initiative that challenges participants to solve real-world cloud infrastructure problems within the AWS platform. Working in teams, participants tackled complex cloud technology tasks, gaining invaluable experience in a high-pressure environment.
Throughout the event, AWS engineers and members of TBC’s DevOps team provided mentorship, guiding both employees and students through the problem-solving process.
“For us, hosting AWS GameDay in Georgia is a significant step in advancing the local DevOps ecosystem. The involvement of the AWS team fosters a culture of knowledge-sharing and hands-on learning, directly contributing to the professional growth of both TBC employees and our students,” said Tata Anjaparidze, Lead of TBC IT Academy.
AWS GameDay represents a new phase in the evolution of Georgia’s DevOps landscape. By collaborating with AWS, TBC is creating a space where both current and aspiring DevOps specialists can engage with real-world challenges, adopt international best practices, and receive top-tier mentorship. This initiative not only strengthens the local tech community but also opens new opportunities for industry growth.
Committed to fostering innovation and technological advancement, TBC actively supports the next generation of IT professionals. As part of its ongoing partnership with AWS, TBC IT Academy plans to introduce more educational programs and practical training sessions, further contributing to the development of Georgia’s technology ecosystem.
Kote Sulaberidze: My Caucasus
From March 22, the TBC Concept multifunctional space gallery proudly presents Kote Sulaberidze’s solo exhibition, My Caucasus. This exhibition brings together selected works created by the artist from the 1990s to the present, offering a profound reflection on homeland and identity.
At the heart of the exhibition lies the concept of the Motherland, woven through each of Sulaberidze’s works with direct and indirect references. In the current landscape, where Georgia faces numerous challenges, My Caucasus is more than a retrospective; it is a dialogue between past and present and a meditation on the future. The exhibited pieces, created alongside the formative years of modern Georgia, serve as both a historical reflection and a response to contemporary realities.
For Sulaberidze, the Motherland is not merely a geographical or political entity—it is an emotional and cultural tapestry, composed of both tangible and symbolic elements, from the folds of a blanket to the contours of a mountain. His work simultaneously portrays a complex, often perilous reality while maintaining an intimate connection to his roots.
Kote Sulaberidze (b. 1968) is one of the leading figures in contemporary Georgian art. His work gained prominence in the 1990s, spanning conceptual painting, book illustration, and video art. Over the years, he has designed and illustrated more than 100 books, including Vano and Niko by Erlom Akhvlediani (Voetnoot, 2003, Dutch edition), One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest by Ken Kesey (Diogene, 2012, Georgian edition), and The Name of the Rose by Umberto Eco (Diogene, 2011, Georgian edition).
Sulaberidze’s work has been featured in numerous international exhibitions and projects. His recent solo exhibitions include A Quiet Life (Contemporary Art Gallery, Karvasla, Tbilisi, 2020) and …Lovely Garden… (Baia Gallery, Tbilisi, 2023). His works have also been presented at esteemed institutions such as the Museum of Contemporary Art KIASMA (Helsinki, Finland, 2007), Progressive Nostalgia – Centro per L’Arte Contemporanea Luigi Pecci (Prato, Italy, 2007), Sotheby’s Auction House (London, UK, 2013), and the Vienna Fair (Vienna, Austria, 2014).
An alumnus of the Tbilisi Academy of Arts, Sulaberidze has dedicated part of his career to academia, continuing his teaching at the Tbilisi Academy of Arts and the School of Visual Arts and Design at the Free University of Tbilisi (VA(A)DS).
Curated by Sandro Sulaberidze and Mariam Tsikaridze, My Caucasus will be open to visitors from Monday to Saturday, 10:00 to 20:00, at the TBC Concept multifunctional space, located at 7 Marjanishvili Street, Tbilisi.
Exhibition Duration: March 22 – May 31, 2025
Discover Smart Portfolios in TBC Mobile Bank – Invest with Confidence
Taking the first step in investing can be challenging, especially when you’re unsure where to start. That’s why TBC Mobile Bank has introduced Smart Portfolios—an innovative, goal-based investment solution that is automatically managed for you.
How It Works
- Update your TBC Mobile Bank app.
- Complete a simple questionnaire to define your investment goals and risk tolerance.
- Get your recommended Smart Portfolio—choose from Conservative, Balanced, or Dynamic—or select the one that best suits you.
Choose the Right Portfolio for You
- Conservative Portfolio: Ideal for those who prioritize stability and prefer lower risk, even with modest returns. Risk & return: Low.
- Balanced Portfolio: Designed for medium-term investors looking to benefit from market growth while managing risk. Risk & return: Medium.
- Dynamic Portfolio: Best for long-term investors seeking maximum returns and willing to embrace higher risk and volatility. Risk & return: High.
The minimum investment amount is just $20, making it easy to start your journey.
Find out which Smart Portfolio fits your goals and start investing today: https://link.tbc.ge/Smart-inv
TBC Partners with Bitter Podcast to Support Historical Education
The Bitter Podcast, a cognitive podcast series hosted by historian Nika Khoperia, has captivated history enthusiasts for over four years, building a dedicated audience.
Recognizing the value of educational and intellectual content, TBC has become an official partner of this engaging podcast. Supporting knowledge-sharing initiatives aligns with TBC’s long-standing commitment to education and cognitive development.
The Bitter Podcast offers a wide range of topics, ensuring something of interest for every listener. Alongside renowned historians and researchers, Nika Khoperia explores significant episodes from Georgian and world history. The podcast also delves into culture, civilizations, and military history.
Tune in to the Bitter Podcast on:
📌 YouTube – @BitterPodcast
📌 Spotify – Listen here
TBC Launches New Educational Initiative: GetData
TBC, a leader in technology and data analytics, continues to expand its educational initiatives. This time, TBC IT Academy, in collaboration with the Data team, is launching the GetData training program.
In the digital age, where data drives business and economic growth, there is an increasing need for skilled professionals who can process, analyze, and make decisions based on data. Despite this demand, there is a noticeable shortage of data analytics and data engineering specialists in the Georgian market.
To address this gap, TBC IT Academy and the Data team are launching GetData, a training program that provides individuals aged 18 and above with the opportunity to deeply explore data analytics and its practical applications.
The program is fully funded by TBC, and online learning ensures accessibility for participants from all across Georgia.
GetData is a hands-on, practice-based program where students will:
- Work with real data and study data analytics processes
- Gain knowledge and practical experience from experts in the TBC Data team
- Master data processing and visualization techniques through simulations and data manipulations
- Develop both technical and soft skills through collaborative team projects
Upon completing the program, successful graduates will have the opportunity to join the TBC Data Analytics team, continuing their professional development through real-world projects.
Additionally, TBC IT Academy recently completed a 5-month Data Engineering Bootcamp, which taught students to work with a variety of technologies. Some participants from the bootcamp have already secured employment and are advancing their careers in data engineering.
The development of data expertise is a strategic priority for TBC Bank. TBC IT Academy and the Data team are working together to cultivate a new generation of skilled, competitive data professionals. GetData and the Data Engineering Bootcamp are key initiatives designed to strengthen the local tech ecosystem, responding to market demands while offering unique opportunities for young people and talented professionals in technology companies.
Visit the TBC IT Academy website and register by March 30.
History in the Making: Another Victory for the Borjgalosnebi and Aka Tabutsadze
The Georgian national rugby union team has claimed the 2025 Rugby European Championship with a commanding performance. For the eighth consecutive year, the Borjgalosnebi have remained at the top of the podium—an achievement they fully deserve. In total, Georgia has won the Rugby Europe Championship 17 times.
Under the guidance of coach Richard Cockrill, the team triumphed over Spain with a 46-28 victory in the final at Mikheil Meskhi Stadium, securing the European Champion Cup.
The Georgian team impressed with 8 tries against their opponents. Vano Karkadze scored a hat-trick and was named the match’s best player, while Vasil Lobzhanidze and Nika Abuladze each added one try. Aka Tabutsadze also made a significant contribution, scoring a hat-trick of his own—an extraordinary achievement we will explore further.
In addition to having already scored 50 tries for the national team, Tabutsadze’s accomplishment is making waves on the international stage. Before the match against Spain, he had 47 tries, sharing 9th place in the world’s top 10 try-scorers with rugby legend Brian O’Driscoll of Ireland. With his hat-trick in the European Championship final, Tabutsadze surpassed George North (Wales) and Doug Howlett (New Zealand), moving into 6th place in the global rankings, alongside England’s Rory Underwood.
The top five players are all retired, and Tabutsadze is now just 5 tries away from breaking into the 5th position. Optimistic projections suggest that the Georgian star will soon surpass this milestone.
Regarding the World Rugby rankings, Georgia remains in 11th place after their win over Spain, extending their lead over 12th-place Wales, a Six Nations representative, by 1.3 points.
The action isn’t over yet. TBC and Big Rugby will return in the summer with exciting national test matches. Until then, let’s support the age group teams and the 7-cities squad in their crucial upcoming tournaments.
#WeWinTogether
TBC Capital Monthly Macroeconomic Review
In this publication, TBC Capital provides a summary of economic growth and the factors influencing the GEL exchange rate at the beginning of the year, which were also highlighted in previous reports.
In January, according to Geostat, economic growth reached 11.1%, surpassing TBC Capital’s expectations once again. A more detailed analysis of the growth factors will be available following the release of quarterly national accounts data. For now, TBC Capital’s baseline scenario for 2025 remains a normalization of growth around the long-term trend. It is also worth noting that, similar to 2024, real credit activity continued to show strength in January.
Recent indicators also point to a slowdown in spending on imported durable goods in February. Overall, excluding one-off factors, imports are on the decline. As a result, despite a year-on-year decrease in exports in February, the trade deficit in the first two months of 2025 reached its lowest level in a decade.
Non-resident and migrant spending through TBC channels remained almost unchanged in February compared to January. However, unlike domestic spending, it continues to stay below the levels of November 2024. In contrast, remittances continue to rise. Notably, TBC Capital highlights remittances from more stable sources (excluding Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Belarus), with the share from the EU, the US, and Israel reaching 83% in February. Overall, net foreign exchange inflows improved in February, following a positive trend in January.
One of the main reasons for the recent strengthening of the GEL is linked to external factors. Weakened aggregate demand, although a negative factor for economic growth, has supported the GEL by reducing imports and, consequently, foreign exchange outflows. Additionally, the recent depreciation of the US dollar in global markets has been noteworthy. In the context of the GEL/USD/EUR strategy, this emphasizes the importance of focusing on medium- to long-term indicators, as recommended by TBC Capital, to avoid overreacting to short-term fluctuations, which often lead to significant losses.
Domestically, demand for foreign currency weakened in January, reflected in a decrease in net currency purchases by households and legal entities and a slowdown in the rate of deposit conversions. However, demand remains high compared to historical levels, indicating that sentiment dynamics remain largely unchanged. It is also important to consider previous currency conversions, both in terms of deposits and loans. TBC Capital estimates these conversions to be around one billion dollars, which, if sentiment improves, could lead to an increased supply of foreign currency in the market.
According to TBC Capital’s short-term and long-term framework for the equilibrium of the GEL, the currency is currently near its fair value based on macroeconomic factors. This assessment takes into account both domestic and external factors. As a result, significant short-term fluctuations in the GEL are not considered a base case by TBC Capital. Moreover, with various factors in play, including Euro-Dollar dynamics, TBC Capital believes that any potential excess supply of foreign currency in the market will likely be used to replenish international reserves rather than significantly strengthen the lari.
On other indicators, prices increased by 2.4% annually in February. However, excluding one-off factors, inflation approached the target figure, reaching 2.9%. Besides one-off factors, annual inflation is also influenced by a notable decrease in prices for durable goods, which, in terms of sentiment, remains a key observation.
Read the full publication at the link.
