AGIB opens New Branch at Bakoteh

The launching ceremony began with prayers and recitation of the Holy Quran by imams.

This was followed by the Welcome Speech delivered by the Managing Director of AGIB Sirajo Salisu.

Salisu thanked the Almighty Allah for the opportunity, the wisdom andability to put up such a structure for the community of Bakoteh.

He also expressed gratitude to the Gambia Government for creating the enabling environment, adding that they could only be in business because there is peace and stability in the country.

He also commended the people of Bakoteh for the warm welcome accorded to them right from the time they started building the branch.

According to the AGIB MD, Bakoteh was a place where many people were doing business, particularly the wood sellers, who showed understanding when they accepted to be relocated.

“We really appreciated that, and we hope that the branch will be of benefit to everybody, particularly to those that gave us this space,” he said.

MD Salisu also thanked the Central Bank of The Gambia for their continuing support, adding that Central Bank has been very supportive.

To their customers, the AGIB MD thanked them for their support, adding that without the participation of the customers they could not expand the business.

This type of expansion was something that people continued to seek, but he was quick to add that without the customers this would not be possible.

To the counterparts from other banks, Salusi said the presence of people like Momodou Musa FIBank Managing Director and Dodou Nyang, senior marketing manager from Trust Bank showed that AGIB is playing in a very friendly manner.

“We don’t look at them like competitors. We play according to the rules and in a friendly way,” he said.

He further stated there is now a new branch of AGIB bank, which has come with many benefits, and urged people to take advantage of the purpose of the branch and improve on their business.

He spoke of the importance of having a better management of one’s finances, noting that even whereby you have enough money but lack the culture of saving, it would be difficult to make headway in business.

He therefore encouraged people to be entrepreneurs, and not to be discouraged by the high charges of the banks.

Pa Kalipha Sanyang , acting Chief Executive Officer KMC, noted that the opening of a new a branch by any bank is always associated with so many positive developments, ranging from employment creation, access to financeand more corporate social responsibilities.

He said, in any nation, the government alone cannot shoulder all responsibilities; so there is a need to collaborate with all other stakeholders for the development of the nation.

Mr. Sanyang thanked the board and management of the Arab Gambian Islamic Bankfor their continuing confidence in the economy of the nation, and for their foresightin bringing Islamic Banking services to this traditional community of Bakoteh.

“I am sure this bank will prove to be another milestone in the onward match of Islamic Banking in the Gambia, and hope that in the near future the market for Islamic Banking will continue to grow,” he said.

“I will like to assure the good people of The Gambia and non-Gambians alike that the government of The Gambia under President Yahya Jammeh is committed to the protection of life and properties, as well as the provision of a stable, safe and secure environment for all businesses.”