"The banking sector in the wake of international changes," is the theme of the seminar organized by Tunisia's "Banque Nationale Agricole" (BNA) on Tuesday in Tunis. The seminar is part of the celebrations of BNA's fiftieth anniversary.
Chairing the seminar, Mr Taoufik Baccar, Governor of the Central Bank of Tunisia (BCT) said that since its inception in June 1959, the BNA has gradually established a successful agricultural financing system. He also said that it is necessary to promote transparency and evaluation through the adoption of accounting norms reflecting the real value of assets and establish a monitoring system tracked by rating agencies and financial communications networks.
On his part, Mr. Moncef Dakhli, BNA's Managing Director said that the bank was able during this year to increase its capital from 100 to 160 million dinars and to issue a bond of 50 million dinars.
In his address, Mr. Mohamed Rachid Kechiche, Minister of Finance, highlighted the role that the BNA plays in financing the Tunisian economy.
Mr. Kechiche also stressed President Ben Ali's commitment in his 2009-2014 presidential program, to modernize the financial sector and improve its services.
He added that the global financial crisis has had no impact on the structure of Tunisia's financial sector, thus testifying to the soundness of Tunisia's decision to opt for a cautious monitoring of the situation at the international financial level.
Mr. Kechiche also evoked the setting up of a mega, public banking establishment dubbed "Tunisia Holding" and the "External Bank of Tunisia", which he said, are currently under study.
© Tunisia Online News 2009
