- Targets Ethiopian, Djiboutian businesses
ADDIS ABABA-The Commercial Bank of Ethiopia (CBE) has targeted to reach Ethiopian businessmen and Djiboutian citizens as it officially opened its branch in Djibouti on Sunday.
The branch was opened in the presence of President of the Republic of Djibouti Ismail Omar Guelleh, Ambassador of Ethiopia to Djibouti Abdulaziz Mohammed, President of the CBE Bacha Gina as well as scores of high level officials from both sides.
The investment in the country has aimed at providing reliable banking services to Ethiopia’s mega public enterprises such as Ethiopian Airlines as well as Ethiopians living in Djibouti and Djiboutian, CBE Investment Management Director Zekarias Mekonnen told The Ethiopian Herald.
“The branch is instrumental in boosting economic cooperation and public diplomacy between the two communities. The people of Djibouti are happy that they get another bank and look to benefit from the services.”
There is a strong commitment from the two countries’ sides to redress challenges facing the investment, Zekarias said, adding that the inauguration in this regard was vital to identify micro and major constraints.
CBE had a branch in Djibouti some 20 years ago and it was a very familiar, reliable and trustworthy firm among Djiboutian community, he added.
“The community is happy that the bank is back. So, we look forward to meeting their expectations,” said the director.
The bank previously told The Ethiopian Herald that it has a plan to open branch in Somaliland after the semi-autonomous region announced its readiness to ratify a deal that would allow foreign banks to do business in the country.
It as well opened branches in South Sudan while the plan to open a branch in Sudan has briefly been delayed because of the recent political situation of the country.
The stability, growing foreign direct investment and average GDP make Somaliland a preferable market opportunity, Zekarias added. However, he said global compliance is the challenge that would face investment in the country for the country is not fully recognized by the international community.
“We are working to scale up our financial, technological and human potential to use the opportunity and extend our destinations in neighboring countries. It also requires economic profit and operational cost and market viability assessments,” he said.
According to him, the bank has already finalized the first draft of such assessment that will be discussed at managerial levels.
The Ethiopian Herald January 17/2020
BY DESTA GEBREHIWOT
