The European Union and World Bank joint project, Georgia Financial Inclusion and Accountability, in partnership with the National Reforms Support Foundation in Accounting, Reporting, and Auditing (RSF), held a virtual award ceremony for the second Best Annual Report and Transparency Award (BARTA).

BARTA was first launched in December 2019. It is a part of a concerted effort to address the challenges in the quality and transparency of corporate reporting of Georgian companies. Following the enactment of Georgia’s new Law on Accounting, Reporting, and Auditing in 2016, this annual award is intended to encourage compliance with new reporting regulations, foster healthy competition between companies, and improve the overall standard of corporate reporting as part of the country’s quest to build up investor trust and confidence at local and international levels.

“The European Union congratulates Georgia for visible progress in the financial sector,” said Sigrid Brettel, Head of Cooperation of the European Union Delegation to Georgia. “Now, following the recent experience of larger companies, also the smallest ones are entering the forefront of financial reporting and transparency. It is good for business, for investors, and Georgia’s overall economic development.”

The award ceremony, held virtually, showcased 18 nominated companies and was presided over by a distinguished international panel of judges. The selection process was conducted using a robust methodology that emphasized, among other things, the provision of non-financial information which addresses intangible assets such as brand, customer reputation, know-how, and goodwill that drive corporate value. “The success of Georgia’s economy increasingly depends on the ability of the private sector to attract funds from investors at home and abroad,” said Sebastian Molineus, World Bank Regional Director for the South Caucasus.

The winners in each of the four award categories, announced, are as follows:

• Large Financial Companies – JSC TBC Bank Large
• Non-Financial Companies – JSC Nikora Trade and JSC Telasi (Joint)
• Small Companies – Georgian Leasing Company LLC
• Honorary Award – JSC MFO Crystal

“While there are only five winners, all nominees deserve recognition, because they all met strict criteria for shortlisting and, thus they have all won,” said Giorgi Tabuashvili, Executive Chairman of RSF.

This year, the competition has expanded to cover more companies. In 2019 it was only open to companies listed on the Georgian Stock Exchange (GSE) A and B listing, as well as those admitted to trading, in 2020 it was open to all public interest entities (PIEs), which includes all listed companies (A and B listing), admitted to trading companies, banks, insurance companies, etc. All listed companies were automatically scored, provided they met the eligibility criteria, but other PIEs, including those admitted to trading, had to self-nominate. The number of self-nominated companies was limited to the first 20 eligible companies.