VIDEO | Basisbank on digitalisation and SME finance in Georgia - Trade Treasury Payments

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At the Asian Development Bank’s Trade & Supply Chain Finance Program (TSCFP) Awards in Singapore, Trade Treasury Payments spoke with Ana Kavtaradze, Strategic Business Development Consultant at Basisbank, about Georgia’s role in digitalising trade and supporting SMEs.

Kavtaradze said digitalisation is a global priority, but impact depends on tackling specific frictions. “Digitising customs, digitising like MLETR in general and also digitising small frictions of the economic drivers are the key pillars for Georgia,” she explained. She added that harmonisation is essential: “If you as a country are digital, but the rest of the world cannot be digital, then you are excluded or you’re not inclusive… harmonisation is very important to make global trade digitalisation sustainable.”

The conversation also highlighted Basisbank’s Best SME Deal Award, received for financing Noblex Ltd, one of Georgia’s leading agribusiness SMEs. This transaction with a value over  half a million dollars supported imports of modern farming inputs, from fertilizers and protective chemicals to irrigation components and second-hand tractors, sourced from suppliers across Europe and Asia.

For Kavtaradze, the award reflects Basisbank’s long-term focus. “SMEs have to be supported more and more. Winning the ADB’s Trade and Supply Chain Finance Award for an SME deal is more than a recognition for the bank because of its focus on business financing, including SME with special focus for agriculture.”

She also underlined the role of ADB in levelling the playing field: “ADB provides access to special and tailored products… which brings Basisbank to the very competitive edge to other larger players on the market.”

The deal illustrates how targeted finance, supported by MDB partnerships, can have a transformative effect on SMEs and rural communities in Georgia.