| Izah Azahari |
IN CELEBRATING Deepavali, the Festival of Lights, the Baiduri Bank Group yesterday hosted a dinner for its customers and partners at The Empire Hotel & Country Club, which saw Counsellor at the Indian High Commission in Brunei Darussalam Ravinder Nath as the guest of honour.
The evening began with an Indian classical dance performed by the Nattiya Bharatha Academy students.
Following this was the traditional lighting of the lamp ceremony by the guest of honour, along with Baiduri Bank Chief Executive Officer Pierre Imhof, Brunei-India Friendship Association President Pehin Dato Paduka Haji Mahdini bin Dato Paduka Haji Basir, and Bandar Seri Begawan Indian Association President Dr Arumugan Sundrapandi.
In his speech, the CEO of Baiduri Bank outlined the major progress and achievements of Baiduri Bank Group throughout the year, among them being that Baiduri has set up a new unit under the Retail Banking Unit that caters to the increasing number of micro, small and medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
“We set up the Business Banking Unit which caters to the MSMEs and complements the bank’s Corporate Banking Department. This is in line with developing the private sector of Brunei,” Imhof said.
He went on to add that Baiduri Bank will continue to invest in their business as they believe in the future of Brunei’s financial industry, with the recent relocation of the Tutong and Kiulap branches to much larger premises, offering a wider range of facilities in an effort to better serve customers.
Counsellor at the Indian High Commission in Brunei Darussalam Ravinder Nath in a conversation with Baiduri Bank Chief Executive Officer Pierre Imhof.
Pierre Imhof delivering his speech.
Performing the traditional lighting of the lamp. – PHOTOS: DEAN KASSIM
Baiduri Bank has been maintaining a high level of liquidity and strong capital base, as per Standard & Poor’s credit rating. With this level of liquidity, Baiduri Bank intends to pursue more business opportunities and finance more business, projects and individuals, he said.
The group has continued to receive major international banking awards, bearing testament to its good performance. This year alone, Baiduri had received three major banking awards – Domestic Retail Bank for Brunei 2016 from the Asian Banking and Finance magazine; Best Banking Group for Brunei 2016 from World Finance magazine; and World’s Best Emerging Markets Bank in the Asia-Pacific 2016 for Brunei by Global Finance.
Regarding the future outlook of Baiduri Bank, Imhof stated that though they believe the business environment will continue to face challenges, they will continue to focus on improving customer service capabilities and widening their product range.
Guests were treated to a variety of song and dance performances by local artists, schoolchildren and staff, which culminated with a presentation of the lucky draw prizes by Imhof.
Around 500 customers and associates from the local Indian community attended the event. The guest list included foreign diplomats, prominent Indian business leaders and professionals working in Brunei as well as loyal customers and partners of Baiduri Bank.
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