Georgia’s National Bank President awarded top European Central Banker of 2014

World leading financial magazine The Banker, owned by the Financial Times Group, has named Georgia’s National Bank President Giorgi Kadagidze as the top Central Bank Governor of the Year 2014 for Europe.

The Europe Banking Awards 2014, held in Georgia’s capital Tbilisi today, recognised industry players for their efforts in 2014.

Kadagidze was presented his award by The Banker Europe Editor Stefanie Linhardt.

"This recognition from The Banker is an important success for the country and a message for investors that there are developed, strong, international standard institutions in Georgia. This is a sign that Georgia’s financial sector is reliable for any Western-type organisation,” Kadagidze said.

The 34-year-old Kadagidze was appointed head of the NBG in February 2009.

When describing Kadagidze's efforts, The Banker said: "In 2014, Mr Kadagidze stimulated a de-dollarisation process, among other measures, by a widening of the collateral base of the National Bank of Georgia (NBG) which improved the availability of domestic currency resources and promoted lending in Lari."

Each year, The Banker studies world leading financial institutions in 149 countries and reveals the best bankers. The Central Bank Governor of the Year awards celebrate the officials that have best managed to stimulate growth and stabilize their economy.

Last year, Miroslav Singer, the Governor of the Czech National Bank was named the Central Banker of the Year by the magazine.

The Banker is the world's leading banking and finance resource, read in over 180 countries.

The Europe Banking Awards 2014 ceremony was organised by EMEA Finance magazine. (Agenda.ge)