Bgeo Group PLC Georgia Capital to consider Bond issuance (9813E)

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RNS Number : 9813E

Bgeo Group PLC

15 February 2018

London, 15 February 2018

Georgia Capital mandates Banks to consider Bond issuance

BGEO Group PLC (the "Group" or "BGEO"), announces that its investment business holding company, JSC Georgia Capital, has mandated a number of investment banks to consider the potential issuance of a Eurobond. There can be no certainty that a transaction will take place and a further announcement will be made, if appropriate, in due course.

Irakli Gilauri, BGEO CEO commented: "The Board of BGEO announced earlier this week that it had approved the implementation of the proposed demerger of BGEO Group into two separately London-listed businesses: Bank of Georgia PLC and Georgia Capital PLC. Following this announcement, Georgia Capital is considering the best ways to optimise its balance sheet flexibility and capital structure ahead of the demerger and will explore the option of issuing a US dollar denominated Eurobond."

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 comprises: 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 comprises the Group's stakes in Georgia Healthcare Group PLC ("Healthcare Business" or "GHG") - an LSE (a London Stock Exchange) 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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February 15, 2018 03:20 ET (08:20 GMT)