Fusion Georgia 2026 Brings Banking and Retail Together at BS/2’s Largest Forum in Georgia

On October 8, BS/2 hosted the international Fusion Georgia 2026: Banking & Retail Solutions forum in Tbilisi, bringing together 325 participants from 164 organizations, including 43 banks, 93 retail companies, and 28 technology vendors and partners. The event became BS/2’s largest forum in Georgia and attracted coverage from local media outlets and television channels.

Fusion Georgia 2026 marked the sixth edition of the international Fusion forum series. For the first time, the program brought banking and retail together, creating opportunities for participants to exchange experience, build professional connections, and discuss challenges shared by both industries. The forum opened with welcome remarks from Idrakas Dadašovas, Chairman of the Board of Penki Kontinentai Group and CEO of BS/2; Emilio Kiris, Director of BS/2 Georgia; and Darius Vitkauskas, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Lithuania to Georgia.

“Georgia’s banking and retail sectors are increasingly adopting common technologies, including payment infrastructure, data-driven solutions, self-service systems, and digital services. By bringing representatives of both industries together in Tbilisi, we aim to create a platform for sharing practical experience and exploring ways to improve business efficiency. Georgia is one of the region’s most dynamic markets, and our goal at BS/2 Georgia is to make advanced international technologies more accessible to local businesses,” said Emilio Kiris, Director of BS/2 Georgia.

Artificial Intelligence and the Evolution of Banking Technology

The banking program covered a broad range of topics, from the development of payment ecosystems to artificial intelligence and more efficient self-service operations. Nino Kakhetelidze (Liberty–Basisbank Group) shared insights into the merger of Liberty Bank and Basisbank, focusing on the development of an interconnected payment ecosystem. Giorgi Kintsurashvili (TBC Bank) explored how partnerships can drive innovation in financial services, while V. Stratan (Mastercard) presented Moldova’s experience in combining physical and digital customer channels with AI-powered technologies.

One of the central themes was the growing role of data in improving banking operations. Idrakas Dadašovas, Chairman of the Board of Penki Kontinentai Group and CEO of BS/2, together with BS/2 Software Developer Bekzat Bukhatov, introduced AI Stack Inside: Intelligent Banking Solutions Environment. The concept reflects a shift from traditional data collection and reporting toward intelligent systems that can analyze information, anticipate events, and support management decisions. Such capabilities can help banks identify potential issues earlier, forecast cash demand more accurately, and improve equipment maintenance.

However, successful AI adoption depends on more than technology alone. The quality and accessibility of data remain essential, a point explored during the panel discussion Data-Driven Bank: How Data and AI Are Transforming Banking. Nino Tabatadze (Ziraat Bank), Davit Kikvidze (Fintech Association), Elbek Kadyrov (ANORBANK), and Kirill Vinogradov (BS/2) discussed the integration of AI into existing operations, the challenges of managing banking data, and ways to measure the business impact of these technologies. The discussion was moderated by Andrey Volkov (BS/2). Cash management and self-service infrastructure were also important topics. Shantadas Satish Nadkarni (Diebold Nixdorf) examined cash recycling technology, which allows banknotes deposited by customers to be reused for withdrawals, helping reduce cash replenishment and collection costs.

Andrey Volkov, Head of the Technology and Product Solutions Center at BS/2, presented cash flow forecasting models that enable banks to plan ATM replenishment more accurately and allocate resources more efficiently. A practical example of integrated banking services came from Asatilla Nurmatullayev, Head of the Processing Department at Octobank (Uzbekistan). The bank’s acquiring platform processes more than five million authorizations each month and serves over 800 merchants. Working with BS/2, Octobank is expanding its ATM infrastructure and introducing additional self-service capabilities for individual and business customers.

New Technologies for Retail

As payment ecosystems evolve, banking and retail operations are becoming increasingly interconnected. Payment terminals are no longer limited to processing transactions. They are evolving into multifunctional platforms that support a wider range of business operations. This development was explored in a joint presentation by Giorgi Juruli (BS/2 Georgia) and Sergey Bryushkov (SUNMI). The speakers demonstrated how smart devices can bring payments, fiscal functions, and business applications together, helping retailers simplify daily operations.

Other presentations focused on store efficiency and customer experience. Dmitry Porozhniakov (Solum Europe) introduced in-store navigation solutions designed to make shopping more convenient, while Özcan Şimşek (Zebra Technologies) discussed mobile computing and data capture technologies that support retail automation and workforce productivity. Beyond the capabilities of individual devices, businesses are increasingly interested in the information these technologies generate. This was the focus of the panel discussion Expanding Hardware Capabilities through Analytics.

Giorgi Juruli (BS/2 Georgia), Giorgi Khabashvili (Goodwill), Ia Nadriashvili (independent retail expert), and Lado Kandelaki (E-commerce) explored how analytics can help businesses make better use of retail infrastructure, streamline internal processes, and improve the customer experience. The discussion was moderated by Sopho Kashakashvili. Bringing banking and retail together provided a broader perspective on these developments. Both industries are looking for ways to maximize the value of existing systems, connect previously separate services, and make more informed decisions using operational data.

“Today, banking, retail, and technology companies are becoming part of a shared ecosystem, with new opportunities emerging when businesses work together to address common challenges. Open dialogue and the exchange of experience help us develop solutions that improve operational efficiency and strengthen customer trust,” said Idrakas Dadašovas, Chairman of the Board of Penki Kontinentai Group and CEO of BS/2.

BS/2 and Technology Partners Showcase Solutions in the Demo Zone

The conference program was complemented by a dedicated Demo Zone, where visitors could explore banking and retail technologies firsthand, speak with product specialists, and discuss how the solutions could support their own projects. At the BS/2 stand, the team showcased its software portfolio, including PulseAI.iQ for AI-powered dispute and incident analysis, NEXORA CIS-Payments.iQ NG, Payments.iQ NG, and DS Center.iQ for decision-making support.

BS/2 software was demonstrated on Diebold Nixdorf ATMs, reflecting the companies’ long-standing technology partnership. ASHBURN International presented TransLink.iQ, its POS network management platform. The exhibition also featured cash counting and sorting equipment.

International technology partners contributed a range of solutions for banking and retail businesses:

– SUNMI showcased smart banking terminals, retail POS devices, and self-service equipment. Visitors explored their applications in payment acceptance, customer service, and retail automation.

– Sargent & Greenleaf (S&G), a long-standing US technology partner of BS/2, presented high-security mechanical and electronic locking systems for ATMs, safes, and bank vaults. Company representatives discussed equipment security and access control with visitors.

– SOLUM introduced electronic shelf labels and digital retail solutions. Its technologies enable centralized management of pricing and product information, helping retailers reduce manual tasks and simplify daily store operations.

– Zebra Technologies demonstrated mobile computers, scanners, RFID solutions, and label printing equipment designed to improve inventory accuracy, automate processes, and increase workforce productivity.
–  iLogic presented ARMS (Asset Resource Management System), a platform for centralized management of corporate assets. It brings together information about equipment, buildings, vehicles, and other infrastructure, helping organizations manage maintenance, monitor operating costs, and track asset conditions.

Strengthening Business Cooperation in Georgia

Fusion Georgia 2026 marked an important milestone for BS/2 Georgia, which continues to develop projects in banking self-service, payment infrastructure, and equipment maintenance across the local market. The strong presence of financial institutions, retail businesses, and international technology providers created valuable opportunities for professional exchange. Participants were able to discuss their companies’ needs directly, learn from experiences in other markets, and identify potential partners for future projects.

For BS/2, such events build on its ongoing relationships with customers. The local team combines the Group’s international expertise with a detailed understanding of the Georgian market, providing not only technology implementation but also ongoing technical support. Hosting an event of this scale in Tbilisi highlighted Georgia’s potential for further development in banking and retail technology. Fusion Georgia 2026 helped strengthen connections across the industry and created a foundation for future partnerships and projects in the region.