Tbilisi, Georgia, February 1, 2023– Georgia comes first in contactless payments penetration worldwide, the latest update of VisaNet data revealed.

The updated ranking saw Georgia being followed by Australia and Hungary among more than 200 countries and territories, where Visa operates. Georgia has been confidently taking the leading position in utilizing fast and secure contactless payment methods in recent years, including card tapping or payments made by smartphones, watches and other gadgets. Almost ten out of ten transactions using Visa cards in Georgia have been contactless, according to VisaNet recent data.

Visa as a world leader in digital payments, unremittingly continues driving innovative technologies in all the countries it covers through its fixed agenda to uplift everyone everywhere. Over many years, Visa has been cooperating with a number of financial institutions, merchants and governmental organizations in Georgia to shape the most up-to-date payment ecosystem and drive a cashless economy.

“This impressive achievement of Georgia makes us extremely proud at Visa. Claiming the first place in contactless payments penetration worldwide manifests the readiness of Georgian Visa cardholders to make safe, fast, and convenient payments. I would like to congratulate our cardholders and partners on this success. It also solidifies our unwavering imperative of facilitating digital payment ecosystem development in Georgia. In one way, it shows the result of our years-long efforts, and in the other way, it motivates us to get on. Overall, Georgia’s preparedness to accept all the technological advancement Visa can proffer stands out a mile,” – Diana Kiguradze, Visa Country Manager for the Caucasus region said.

About Visa

Visa (NYSE: V) is a world leader in digital payments, facilitating transactions between consumers, merchants, financial institutions and government entities across more than 200 countries and territories. Our mission is to connect the world through the most innovative, convenient, reliable and secure payments network, enabling individuals, businesses and economies to thrive. We believe that economies that include everyone everywhere, uplift everyone everywhere and see access as foundational to the future of money movement. Learn more at Visa.com.ge

On 31 January 2023, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia, Ilia Darchiashvili, held a meeting with the Vice Prime Minister for Reintegration of Moldova, Oleg Serebrian.
Discussions focused on the agenda of cooperation between the two countries. The sides noted the traditionally friendly relations between Georgia and Moldova and the important issues of cooperation, both in bilateral and multilateral formats.
The ministers once again confirmed the unwavering mutual support for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the two countries.
Talking points included the implementation of the peace and reconciliation policy in the territories of the two countries. Ilia Darchiashvili drew special attention to the severe humanitarian and social situation in the occupied territories of Georgia.
The sides discussed the difficult security environment on the European continent. In this regard, the challenges facing the two countries and the ways to deal with them were highlighted.
Special attention was paid to the steps taken by Georgia and Moldova on the path of European integration.

MFA of Georgia

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili met with Oleg Serebrian, Moldova’s Deputy Prime Minister for Reintegration.

Press Service of the Government Administration