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Will USD replace GEL?

By Messenger Staff
Tuesday, June 22
Former Minister of Economy Kakha Bendukidze's idea to replace Georgia’s national currency the lari with the dollar is still on the agenda. Former adviser to the PM Nona Karalashvili, speaking to Kviris Palitra newspaper, has said once again that the GEL could be replaced by either the USD or Euro as legal tender in Georgia.

Karalashvili makes several arguments in favour of this idea, which revolve around it being advantageous for businessmen to conduct transactions in their preferred currency. She also highlights that competition between the currencies themselves will be a good thing and the national bank will help stabilise local currency through healthy competition.