Georgian central bank: financial sector prepared for coronavirus challenge
In a statement published today the NBG says that the financial sector of Georgia continues to provide a full range of services. Photo: Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge.
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Georgia's financial sector is meeting the coronavirus challenge well prepared , announces the National Bank of Georgia (NBG).
In a statement published today the NBG says that despite the recent decision of the government of Georgia to close all shops except groceries, pharmacies, gas stations, post offices, banks, micro financing organisations and currency exchange booths, the financial sector continues to provide a full range of services.
Under these restrictions the financial sector of Georgia continues to provide a full range of services including continuous supply of cash, loan and deposit service. Self-service payment kiosks and ATMs will work without any obstacles. Also, we have well developed remote services. These services will not be limited in case a state of emergency is declared in the country", reads the NBG statement.
The NBG calls on citizens to use as much as possible internet payment services and avoid leaving home, while recommending banks, micro financing organisations and currency exchange booths to limit the number of employees and avoid queues at their offices.
The Georgian Prime Minister’s spokesman Irakli Chikovani has stated today that small and medium-size business owners (SMEs) who have leased municipality-owned areas for their business activities have been made exempt from lease payments for three months in all municipalities of Georgia.
A price restraint mechanism is ready and has been agreed upon between business and the government. Specifically, prices for nine products will not increase in Georgia, said the Prime Minister’s Spokesperson Irakli Chikovani earlier today.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is committed to providing support to Georgia under the challenging and uncertain circumstances due to the coronavirus, said IMF Resident Representative in Georgia Selim Cakir.
Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia has announced today that all malls will temporarily close in the country to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. Only groceries, pharmacies, gas stations, post offices and banks will remain open.
Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili said in her address to the nation today that the declaration of the state of emergency aims to counter the coronavirus pandemic.
Georgia has confirmed one more new case of COVID-19, increasing the total number of infected individuals to 49. As of today 1,966 individuals are under quarantine in Georgia, while 259 others - under medical observation at hospitals.
Georgia has enough supplies of meat and fish and there are no difficulties in importing cargo and replenishing supplies, announces Georgian Ministry of Agriculture Levan Davitashvili.
The National Bank of Georgia is monitoring banknotes given bills may also contribute to the spread of the new coronavirus. The money which enters the bank is kept for 14 days separately. Also, new banknotes are being supplied to commercial banks which will be put into circulation for the first time.