12/12/2023
The EBRD Trade Facilitation Programme collaborated with the National Bank Of Georgia, Icc Georgia, and Argos advisory to orchestrate a two-day workshop on compliance in , Georgia, held on December 4-5, 2023. The workshop, skilfully guided by Martial N. Smets, delved into a comprehensive exploration of various compliance facets, encompassing international sanctions risk, regulatory frameworks, correspondent banking, financial crime compliance, and trade-based money laundering.
On the first day, Davit Tutberidze, Head of Macroeconomics Research Division at the National Bank of Georgia, presented macroeconomic updates and Eka Goglidze, Head of Division for International Sanctions’ Implementation and Inspection from the National Bank of Georgia updated participants on the local regulatory changes to mitigate the current environment. This was followed by a presentation on global regulatory changes and circumvention risks, local regulatory changes, and preventive measures by Martial N. Smets, along with a presentation by Adam Lewis on the ’s compliance approach. A panel discussion on business trends and shifts in international trade in 2023 concluded the day.
The second day delved into the banking control framework on financial crime compliance and relevant typologies on international sanctions, supported by a thorough review of business cases. The workshop saw active participation and engagement from over 60 banking professionals in the Georgia banking sector and their corporate clients. The event commenced with warm greetings from Alkis Drakinos,Regional Director at EBRD, Sophia Asanidze, acting head of AML/CTF Department at the National Bank of Georgia and Fady Asly, Chairman of the Regional Consultative Group at the ICC Banking Commission Georgia
