Kayode Ekundayo
10 July 2009
Lagos — Access Bank Plc, has opened a banking subsidiary in Cote d' Ivoire following its acquisition of 88% interest in Omnifinance, Cote d' Ivoire through a combination of purchase of existing shares and injection of fresh capital.
The bank in a statement in Lagos said the development demonstrates the commitment of its management to the socio-economic development of the continent through intelligent expansion across the regions.
The formal opening of the Bank was performed by the President of the Republic of Cote d' Ivoire, Mr. Laurent Koudou Gbagbo, through his representative Mr. Albert Brou, SA on Economic Matters.
Also in attendance were Madam Ama Tehua, Minister for Industry, Small and Medium Enterprises, Nigerian Ambassador to Cote d' Ivoire and Chief Executives of financial institutions and the Ivorian business community.
Speaking through his representative, Mr. Alber Brou, Mr. Laurent Koudou Gbagbo, expressed satisfaction at the coming of the Bank into Cote d' Ivoire and its intention to partner with the government and people in the realisation of the developmental objectives of the country.
He added that the socio - economic climate in Cote d' Ivoire is conducive for business and assured the Bank that the government will continue to make the country attractive to investors through implementation of economic friendly policies and people - oriented programmes.
The Chairman of Access Bank ( Cote d' Ivoire) Ltd, Jacob Omataekpo, assured Ivorians of the immense benefits the entry of the Bank will bring to them and other economies in the ECOWAS region, and enjoined Ivorians to patronise the Bank.
He said, "with the entry of Access Bank into Cote d' Ivoire, pace of economic development will become accelerated because this is a Bank with high entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to economic development."
Earlier, the Group Managing Director, Access Bank, Mr. Aigboje Aig - Imoukuede, expressed appreciation for the confidence reposed in the board and Management of the Bank by the government and people of Cote d' Ivoire by granting it an operational license and assured them of a partnership that will participate in the development of the country, its economy and citizens. He added that Access Bank is firmly positioned as Africa's Bank of Best practice, and through this consciousness the Bank will enhance the ethical standards in the Cote d' Ivoire financial service industry.
He added that Access Bank will constitute the anchor for the trade that exists between ECOWAS and other regions on the African continent, particularly because of its entrepreneurial spirit as a company committed not only to large corporate but also small scale businesses and individuals.
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