Pakistan-based Habib Bank Limited (HBL) has completed 50 years of operations in Bangladesh, marking half a century in a market where it has built its business around trade, investment and cross-border financial flows.
The bank, which began operations in Bangladesh in 1976, said on Wednesday it plans to use its regional network, including its operations in China, to support Bangladeshi businesses seeking greater access to international markets as the country’s trade and investment links expand.
HBL, the first Pakistani bank to operate in Bangladesh, provides corporate banking, trade finance and treasury services, with a growing focus on digital banking and cross-border transactions in Chinese renminbi (RMB).
HBL operates two branches in China, in Beijing and Urumqi, both licensed to conduct foreign-exchange and RMB business.
The Beijing branch serves as its managing branch in China, where HBL said it is one of three banks from South Asia and the Middle East and North Africa region offering end-to-end RMB intermediation.
The bank said its China presence allows it to work with Chinese state-owned enterprises and major financial institutions involved in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor and projects across Belt and Road Initiative corridors.
The network also gives HBL customers in Bangladesh, Pakistan, the Maldives, Singapore, Sri Lanka, the United Arab Emirates and Kenya access to its products and services in China.
HBL marked the anniversary with events in Dhaka attended by clients, regulators, business leaders and senior bank executives, including HBL Chairman Sultan Ali Allana and President and Chief Executive Officer Muhammad Nassir Salim.
The bank said it would continue using its regional network to support clients in Bangladesh seeking to expand across markets and strengthen international business relationships.
