The National Bank of Georgia has gained access to one of the world’s largest and most important financial markets — the China Interbank Bond Market (CIBM).

According to the National Bank, this places Georgia among a small group of central banks authorized to operate in the CIBM.

Access to the market was secured during the official visit of an NBG delegation to China, under a memorandum signed with the People’s Bank of China.

Under the agreement, the NBG launched active negotiations with the People’s Bank of China to obtain access to the CIBM and finalize the relevant arrangements. On December 23, 2025, an investment agreement was signed, under which the People’s Bank of China will provide the National Bank of Georgia with essential operational services in the market, including support for trading, settlement, and bond custody.

In February of this year, accounts were opened for the National Bank of Georgia both with the People’s Bank of China and within the CIBM’s depository infrastructure.

“The China Interbank Bond Market is one of the main channels through which foreign institutional investors, including central banks, can directly access the Chinese bond market. Access to this market will strengthen the investment capabilities of the National Bank of Georgia, contribute to the diversification of the international reserves portfolio, and enhance the efficiency of risk management,” said NBG President Natia Turnava.

The National Bank noted that further steps to enter the new market will be implemented gradually and will depend on assessments of the market’s operating environment, settlement mechanisms, legal framework, and associated risks.