To support the improvement of vocational education, within the framework of the loan agreement signed between the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and Georgia (Modern Skills for Better Jobs Sector Development Program – Subprogram 2), the Asian Development Bank has disbursed the first-ever sovereign loan denominated in the national currency – GEL 68.2 million – which represents a budget support loan.

It should be noted that this is the first time a sovereign loan has been provided to Georgia in the national currency by an international financial institution. This once again underscores the successful cooperation between ADB and the Government of Georgia, not only in financing investment projects, but also in supporting structural reforms and the sustainable management of public finance.

Within the framework of this program, contracting debt in the national currency is in line with Georgia’s debt management strategy, the goal of which is to achieve a healthy balance between foreign and domestic currency in public debt. This strengthens the country’s economic resilience against external shocks and, in turn, contributes to the sustainability of debt management.

In terms of substance, the program supports the Ministry of Education, Science and Youth of Georgia in improving the quality of vocational education, enhancing the accessibility and inclusiveness of the vocational education system and strengthening its institutional framework.