The Head of the International Division of Societe General, Mr. John Louis Mattei, has expressed the banks' willingness to finance projects in the agricultural and infrastructural sectors of Ghana's economy.
He lauded Ghana's economic stability, which he said, provided an enabling environment for doing business. "I am satisfied because banks in this country are now stronger with quality human resource and IT systems,"
He made the observation when he paid a courtesy call on Vice-President John Mahama at the seat of government, Osu.
Mr. Mattei, who was in the country to attend a forum by the bank's branch in Ghana, was accompanied by Alain Bellissard, out-going Managing Director of SG-SSB Ghana branch and Gilbert Hie, the incoming MD of the bank.
Mr. Mattei described SG-SSB as a 'Ghanaian Bank,' saying, "It is able to serve different kinds of customers with a wide range of products," and pledged the bank's commitment to continue providing loans to Small and Medium Scale enterprises and to individuals as well.
He stressed that the bank was now looking to extend its assistance in the area of project financing besides the provision of local and international products, for the country's benefit.
On his part, the out-going MD of the bank, Mr. Bellissard underscored the extent of readiness by Societe General to support project financing in Ghana as the bank had confidence in the country's future.
Responding, Vice-President Mahama acknowledged the support of the bank to the country for some time now, especially the provision of loans to Members of Parliament to acquire vehicles to facilitate their work, and a loan package for the acquisition of the Falcon Presidential jet.
He said with the country's economy now rebased, there was the need to adjust revenue levels, which he described as "far below" to match up to the country's status as a middle income country.
There was also the need to expand the formal sector to create jobs for the youth; as well as the necessity to reduce child and infant mortality in Ghana he added.
"A lot of the challenges will depend on how quickly we build on our infrastructure such as roads, bridges, and airports to accommodate the increasing number of air traffic.
Vice-President Mahama intimated that any time there was pressure on government revenue, it was financial institutions such as Societe General that came to the rescue of the country and hoped that the bank would continue in that quest to enable the country address its challenges.
Story: Irene Ata-Donto
16/12/10
No comments:
Post a Comment