Dubai: The Access Bank UK DIFC Branch was one of the sponsors of the prestigious GTR MENA 2020, which took place at Jumeirah Emirates Towers in Dubai on the 17th and 18th of February 2020. The event chose ‘Seizing Opportunities’ as its main theme.

This year’s event focused on how to build on the legacy of Expo 2020, as well as how to effectively leverage new trade relations and geopolitical relationships. Discussions focused sharply on digital transformation and the opportunities it presents.

Commenting on the occasion, Jamie Simmonds, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director at The Access Bank UK Ltd said, “The Access Bank UK DIFC Branch is proud to be one of the sponsors of the GTR MENA 2020, which presents a unique platform and opportunity for companies engaged in international trade. We represent the ideal partner for any organisation that wants to explore opportunities in the rapidly growing West African economy, which is set to expand further with the creation of the Continental Free Trade Agreement (CFTA). Once ratified, this grouping of more than 40 countries could become one of the world’s largest free trade areas and significantly boost intra-African trade volumes  according to the UN Economic Commission for Africa.”

The Middle East countries have long considered Africa a dynamic investment destination. The increase in direct flights between major African countries and the UAE coupled with the signing of strategic cooperation agreements and easing of visa restrictions have been a catalyst to bilateral business exchange.

In 2019, Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA) received its first shipment of bauxite ore from its $1.4 billion mine in Guinea resulting in the western African state potentially earning $700 million annually. Furthermore, Dubai Ports World is looking to develop the commercial port of Assab in Eritrea, and in August 2018 the UAE announced a pipeline project linking Addis Ababa in Ethiopia to Assab in Eritrea.

The expansion of UAE and Africa trade links has gone from strength to strength in the last decade. The Access Bank UK DIFC Branch took this opportunity to position itself as ‘Africa’s Gateway to the World’ through this prestigious gathering of the MENA region’s leading trade experts, bankers, government bodies and corporates.

The Access Bank UK DIFC Branch offers a broad range of products and services to assist with trade and investment needs in Nigeria, Sub-Saharan Africa and the MENA region. The Branch is situated in the iconic Gate Building of Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) and is regulated by the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA).

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About The Access Bank UK - DIFC Branch

Situated in the iconic Gate Building of Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) and regulated by Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA), The Access Bank UK - DIFC Branch in the UAE offers a wide range of services to support business activities across various sectors in the region. As a licensed, branch, the strategic and centrally located Access Bank UK DIFC Branch will serve as a route for investors in the region to trade effortlessly from Asia to Africa. Armed with a strong purpose to offer complete support to its customers by moving closer to them, the DIFC Branch is committed to building a long lasting relationship in the region. 

About The Access Bank UK Ltd

The Access Bank UK Limited is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Access Bank Plc, a Nigerian Stock Exchange listed company. The Access Bank UK Limited was established to provide customers in the UK and in Africa with a broad range of business and personal banking services. These include trade finance, commercial banking, private banking and wealth management.

Our objective is to grow the international business of the Access Bank Group through excellence in customer service and innovative solutions in trade finance, commercial banking and asset management. We are authorised and regulated by the UK’s Prudential Regulation Authority and Financial Conduct Authority (PRA and FCA) and are therefore in a strong position to support opportunities in Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) markets for Access Bank Group customers. At the same time, our position as Access Bank Group’s OECD operational hub supports the flow of investment into markets in Nigeria, Sub-Saharan, West Africa and the MENA region.

We have a strong base in the UK and abroad which allows us to stay in touch with our customers wherever they are in the world. Our Head Office is located in the heart of the City of London and overlooks the Bank of England and our Operations division is near Manchester. We also have an office in Lagos, Nigeria.

The Access Bank UK has been voted as the Best Africa Trade Finance Bank in 2019 by Capital Finance International, for the fourth consecutive year.

About Access Bank plc

Access Bank PLC.is a leading full service commercial bank operating through a network of more than 600 branches and service outlets, spanning three continents, 12 countries and 31 million customers. The Bank employs 28,000 thousand people in its operations in Nigeria, Sub Saharan Africa and the United Kingdom (with a branch in Dubai, UAE), with representative offices in China, Lebanon and India.

Listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange since 1998, Access Bank is a diversified financial institution which combines a strong retail customer franchise and digital platform with deep corporate banking expertise and proven risk management and capital management capabilities. The Bank serves its various markets through five business segments: Personal, Business, Commercial, Corporate & Investment Banking and Operations and IT. The Bank has over 900,000 shareholders, including several Nigerian and International Institutional Investors, and has enjoyed what is arguably Africa’s most successful banking growth trajectory in the last 17 years. Following its merger with Diamond Bank in March 2019, Access Bank became one of Africa’s largest retail banks.

As part of its continued growth strategy, Access Bank is focused on mainstreaming sustainable business practices into its operations. The Bank strives to deliver sustainable economic growth that is profitable, environmentally responsible and socially relevant, helping customers to access more and achieve their dreams.

For more information, please contact:

Ahmed Salah
GOLIN MENA
Tel: 971 4 332 3308
Email: Asalah@golin.ae 

© Press Release 2020

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