Nigel Baptiste
Mr Nigel Baptiste, President of the Republic Bank Financial Holdings Limited, says the corporate entity is ready to facilitate entry for any Ghanaian business that is interested in reaching across the Atlantic Ocean.
He made this known at a cocktail reception in honour of Dr Keith Christopher Rowley, Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, who is on a state visit to Ghana. It was attended by Vice President Paa Kwesi Amissah-Arthur, some ministers of state, businessmen as well as citizens of Trinidad and Tobago.
Mr Baptiste said Ghana has opened her arms to the bank, thus it has also opened its arms in Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, Grenada, Suriname, and Guyana, to facilitate any business that want to expand across the Atlantic.
He noted that the partnership between HFC Bank and the Republic Bank through the latter’s acquisition of controlling shares in HFC Bank could be a beacon for what is possible between the two countries, especially as they had a lot in common.
“Despite the present global conditions, there is great potential for significant future growth in Ghana and Trinidad and Tobago, as well as between Ghana and Trinidad and Tobago. Our two nations have a lot in common; from political stability and a similar legal framework to shared cultural touch points and economies based on agriculture, manufacturing and energy,” he stated.
He said Ghana serves as gateway into the sub-Saharan Africa for the Republic Bank and Trinidad and Tobago could also become a gateway for Ghanaian businesses into the Caribbean and beyond.
Robert Le Hunte, Managing Director of the HFC Bank commended the collaboration between Ghana and Trinidad and Tobago, saying it is a reflection of what the private sector has done when HFC Bank joined forces with Republic Bank, a leading financial institution in Trinidad and Tobago.
He said the union is not only anchored on the business of boardrooms but also on unflinching ties that the two countries share historically, culturally and emotionally.
Mr Le Hunte said although there has been initial challenges in the process of its entry into Ghana, it has received support, which has put it on track to achieving its objective of making HFC Bank a first tier Bank in three years, that is from number 16 to at least five.
“I am happy to report that after one year, our strategy is well in progress and we are confident that we will achieve this feat.”
He noted that the benefits to be derived from collaborative efforts between the two efforts are enormous, adding “it is my hope that RBL’s investment and your government’s commitment as shown by this visit will be the impetus that is required to untap the great potential that lies ahead.
Source : GNA
