Latest topics
StanChart begins Iraq banking as petrodollars boost economy
Dinar Daily :: DINAR/IRAQ -- NEWS -- GURUS and DISCUSSIONS :: IRAQ and DINAR -- ARTICLE BASED INFORMATION and DISCUSSIONS
Page 1 of 1
StanChart begins Iraq banking as petrodollars boost economy
StanChart begins Iraq banking as petrodollars boost economy
By Sylvia Westall
BAGHDAD Wed Nov 27, 2013 12:54pm GMT
(Reuters) - British lender Standard Chartered (STAN.L) launched banking operations in Iraq on Wednesday, saying it hoped to benefit from large infrastructure projects in a country trying to rebuild after years of conflict.
Standard Chartered is one of a small number of foreign banks with operations in Iraq, which is seeing rapid economic growth fuelled by oil production but also its worst upsurge in sectarian violence in at least five years.
The security concerns and a complex regulatory and political environment have put some international firms off doing business there. HSBC (HSBA.L) is trying to exit Iraq by selling its stake in Dar Es Salaam Investment Bank BDSI.ISX.
But Standard Chartered said it was upbeat about the economy, which it expects to grow by 9 percent next year, up from 6.7 percent in 2013.
It opened its country head office and first branch on Wednesday in Baghdad's banking district on a street lined with blast walls and patrolled by guards with Kalashnikov rifles.
"The Iraqi government is planning large scale infrastructure projects and these will require international financing solutions," said Gavin Wishart, chief executive of the bank's Iraq operations.
The bank, which said it was the first international lender to have full-fledged banking operations in the country, plans to open another branch in Arbil, Iraqi Kurdistan, in December and a third in the oil hub of Basra in the first half of 2014.
Its aim is to "meet the increasing banking needs of its global network clients in Iraq, notably in the power, oil, telecoms and infrastructure sectors," it said in a statement.
Standard Chartered has been in Iraq since 2006 with a representative office in Arbil in the more stable northern region.
There is a relatively small pool of foreign lenders operating in the country, where the banking sector is dominated by two state-owned institutions, Rafidain and Rashid, making it tough for other lenders to compete.
Since last year, Gulf lenders such as Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank ADIB.AD and Qatar National Bank QNBK.QA have opened offices in Iraq. Lebanon's Bank Audi (AUDI.BY) plans to launch in the country and Citigroup Inc. (C.N) said in June it would open a representative office in Baghdad.
Standard Chartered said large oil reserves in easy-to-access oilfields made for strong growth prospects, and the country could also become a major gas producer. It said the government may return to the bond market to finance new infrastructure.
http://uk.reuters.com/article/2013/11/27/uk-standchart-iraq-idUKBRE9AQ0LT20131127
By Sylvia Westall
BAGHDAD Wed Nov 27, 2013 12:54pm GMT
(Reuters) - British lender Standard Chartered (STAN.L) launched banking operations in Iraq on Wednesday, saying it hoped to benefit from large infrastructure projects in a country trying to rebuild after years of conflict.
Standard Chartered is one of a small number of foreign banks with operations in Iraq, which is seeing rapid economic growth fuelled by oil production but also its worst upsurge in sectarian violence in at least five years.
The security concerns and a complex regulatory and political environment have put some international firms off doing business there. HSBC (HSBA.L) is trying to exit Iraq by selling its stake in Dar Es Salaam Investment Bank BDSI.ISX.
But Standard Chartered said it was upbeat about the economy, which it expects to grow by 9 percent next year, up from 6.7 percent in 2013.
It opened its country head office and first branch on Wednesday in Baghdad's banking district on a street lined with blast walls and patrolled by guards with Kalashnikov rifles.
"The Iraqi government is planning large scale infrastructure projects and these will require international financing solutions," said Gavin Wishart, chief executive of the bank's Iraq operations.
The bank, which said it was the first international lender to have full-fledged banking operations in the country, plans to open another branch in Arbil, Iraqi Kurdistan, in December and a third in the oil hub of Basra in the first half of 2014.
Its aim is to "meet the increasing banking needs of its global network clients in Iraq, notably in the power, oil, telecoms and infrastructure sectors," it said in a statement.
Standard Chartered has been in Iraq since 2006 with a representative office in Arbil in the more stable northern region.
There is a relatively small pool of foreign lenders operating in the country, where the banking sector is dominated by two state-owned institutions, Rafidain and Rashid, making it tough for other lenders to compete.
Since last year, Gulf lenders such as Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank ADIB.AD and Qatar National Bank QNBK.QA have opened offices in Iraq. Lebanon's Bank Audi (AUDI.BY) plans to launch in the country and Citigroup Inc. (C.N) said in June it would open a representative office in Baghdad.
Standard Chartered said large oil reserves in easy-to-access oilfields made for strong growth prospects, and the country could also become a major gas producer. It said the government may return to the bond market to finance new infrastructure.
http://uk.reuters.com/article/2013/11/27/uk-standchart-iraq-idUKBRE9AQ0LT20131127
Ponee- Admin
- Posts : 38267
Join date : 2011-08-09
Dinar Daily :: DINAR/IRAQ -- NEWS -- GURUS and DISCUSSIONS :: IRAQ and DINAR -- ARTICLE BASED INFORMATION and DISCUSSIONS
Page 1 of 1
Permissions in this forum:
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
Yesterday at 6:02 am by Ditartyn
» Dave Schmidt - Zim Notes for Purchase (NOT PHYSICAL NOTES)
Sat Mar 23, 2024 9:25 am by swizzlestick
» ZIGPLACE
Wed Mar 20, 2024 6:29 am by Zig
» CBD Vape Cartridges
Thu Mar 07, 2024 2:10 pm by Arendac
» Classic Tony is back
Tue Mar 05, 2024 2:53 pm by Mission1st
» THE MUSINGS OF A MADMAN
Mon Mar 04, 2024 11:40 am by Arendac
» Minister of Transport: We do not have authority over any airport in Iraq
Mon Mar 04, 2024 11:40 am by Verina
» Did Okie Die?
Mon Mar 04, 2024 11:34 am by Arendac
» Hello all, I’m new
Wed Jan 31, 2024 8:46 pm by Jonny_5
» The Renfrows: Prophets for Profits, Happy Anniversary!
Wed Jan 31, 2024 6:46 pm by Mission1st
» What Happens when Cancer is treated with Cannabis? VIDEO
Wed Jan 31, 2024 8:58 am by MadisonParrish
» An Awesome talk between Tucker and Russell Brand
Wed Jan 31, 2024 12:16 am by kenlej
» Trafficking in children
Mon Jan 29, 2024 7:43 pm by kenlej
» The second American Revolution has begun, God Bless Texas
Mon Jan 29, 2024 6:13 pm by kenlej
» The Global Currency Reset Evolution Event Will Begin With Gold, Zimbabwe ZWR Old Bank Notes
Sun Jan 28, 2024 3:28 pm by Mission1st
» Tucker talking Canada
Wed Jan 24, 2024 6:50 pm by kenlej
» Almost to the end The goodguys are winning
Mon Jan 22, 2024 9:03 pm by kenlej
» Dinar Daily Facebook Page
Mon Jan 22, 2024 3:34 pm by Ponee
» The Fundamentals of Finance and Pimpy Live
Thu Jan 18, 2024 7:17 am by Dinarhater
» Why Won't the Iraqi Dinar Scam Die?
Wed Jan 17, 2024 5:19 pm by RamblerNash