Bgeo Group PLC Bank of Georgia named the Best Trade Finance Bank (4697C)

TIDMBGEO

RNS Number : 4697C

Bgeo Group PLC

22 January 2018

London, 22 January 2018

Global Finance names JSC Bank of Georgia as the Best Trade Finance Bank in Georgia

BGEO Group PLC (the "Group" or "BGEO"), announces that its banking business subsidiary, JSC Bank of Georgia ("the Bank") has been recognised as the Best Trade Finance Bank in Georgia in 2017 by Global Finance for the second consecutive year. The editorial review board of the Global Finance magazine selected the winners based on inputs from industry analysts, corporate executives and technology experts. The criteria for selection included: transaction volume, scope of global coverage, customer service, competitive pricing and innovative technologies. This is the fifth time the Bank has been granted with this reputable award since 2010.

Kaha Kiknavelidze, the Bank CEO commented: "We are pleased to be recognised once again as the leading provider of trade finance solutions in Georgia. The Bank actively co-operates with a number of foreign banks and international development institutions and translates these partnerships into best-in-class trade finance solutions for local corporate and SME clients".

Name of authorised official of issuer responsible for making notification: Giorgi Alpaidze, Group CFO

About BGEO Group PLC

The Group: BGEO Group PLC ("BGEO"- LSE: BGEO LN) is a UK incorporated holding company of a Georgia-focused investment platform. BGEO invests, via its subsidiaries, in the banking and non-banking sectors in Georgia (BGEO and its subsidiaries, together the "Group"). BGEO aims to deliver on its strategy of: (1) at least 20% ROAE from its Banking Business; (2) 15%-20% growth of its Banking Business loan book; (3) at least 25% IRR; and (4) up to 20% of the Group's profit from its Investment Business. On 3 July 2017 BGEO announced its intention to demerge BGEO Group PLC into a London-listed banking business (the "Banking Business") and a London-listed investment business (the "Investment Business") by the end of the first half of 2018.

Banking Business: Currently representing at least 80% of the Group's profit, will comprise: a) retail banking and payment services, b) corporate investment banking and wealth management operations and c) banking operations in Belarus ("BNB"). JSC Bank of Georgia ("BOG" or the "Bank") is the core entity of the Group's Banking Business. The Banking Business will continue to target to benefit from the underpenetrated banking sector in Georgia primarily through its retail banking services.

Investment Business: Currently representing up to 20% of the Group's profit, will comprise the Group's stakes in Georgia Healthcare Group PLC ("Healthcare Business" or "GHG") - an LSE (London Stock Exchange PLC) premium-listed company, Georgia Global Utilities ("Utility and Energy Business" or "GGU"), m(2) Real Estate ("Real Estate Business" or "m(2) "), Teliani Valley ("Beverage Business" or "Teliani") and Aldagi ("Property and Casualty Insurance Business" or Aldagi"). Georgia's fast-growing economy provides opportunities in a number of underdeveloped local markets and the Investment Business will target to capture growth opportunities in the Georgian corporate sector.

 
 JSC BGEO Group has, as               Bank of Georgia has, as 
  of the date hereof, the              of the date hereof, the 
  following credit ratings:            following credit ratings: 
 
      Fitch Ratings   'BB-/B'              Fitch Ratings   'BB-/B' 
      Moody's         B1/NP (FC)           Moody's         'Ba3/NP' (FC) 
                       & B1/NP (LC)                         & 'Ba2/NP' 
                                                            (LC) 
 

For further information, please visit www.bgeo.com or contact:

 
      Irakli Gilauri           Michael Oliver              Giorgi Alpaidze 
      Group CEO                Adviser to the              Group CFO 
                                CEO 
      [phone]             [phone]        [phone] 
      [e-mail]            [e-mail]        [e-mail] 
 

This news report is presented for general informational purposes only and should not be construed as an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities

This information is provided by RNS

The company news service from the London Stock Exchange

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January 22, 2018 02:00 ET (07:00 GMT)