(Dar es Salaam) – The Vice President of Tanzania, His Excellency Dr. Mohammed Gharib Bilal recently inaugurated UBL Bank (Tanzania) Limited (UBTL), in an impressive ceremony at the Bank’s premises, located in the heart of the city centre of Dar es Salaam.
The launch was attended by a wide cross section of dignitaries & luminaries from different walks of life including HE, the High Commissioner of Pakistan, Mr. Tajammul Altaf, Mr. A Kobello, Director, Bank of Tanzania, diplomats, CEOs, and senior officials of the UBL Group, including Sir Mohammed Anwar Pervez, OBE HPk, Deputy Chairman of the UBL Board of Directors & Chairman Bestway Group, Mr. Atif R. Bokhari, UBL’s President & Chairman of the Board of Directors of UBTL, Mr. Zameer Choudrey, CEO Bestway Group & Director United Bank Limited, Mr. Wajahat Hussain Head of UBL International & Director UBTL, and Mr. Raymond Kotwal, UBL CFO & Director UBTL.
Over the last five decades, UBL’s global network has grown to over 1,300 branches, across UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, Yemen, USA and Pakistan. Through its subsidiaries, associated companies & representative offices, the Group also has a presence in the UK, Switzerland, Oman, China & now Tanzania. UBL has an asset base of approximately USD 10 billion, serves more than 5 million customers, & has workforce of some 17,000 staff.
UBL has a track record of innovation and was the first to introduce a number of products and services in its markets. One achievement that the bank is particularly proud of is its pioneering initiative of financial inclusion in Pakistan, through its Branchless Banking service, UBL Omni, currently provided through over 12,000 outlets across the country.
Mr. Atif R. Bokhari said, “UBL’s decision to choose Tanzania for its first foray into Africa, was based on a number of positives about the country including, its sound economic performance as evidenced by its GDP growth, its political stability, the country’s abundant natural resources and the fact that the Dar es Salaam port serves as an important conduit in facilitating the trade flows within Tanzania and beyond to 6 neighboring countries”.
The opening of the bank’s branch in Dar es Salaam is the first step in a journey that will take UBTL to the major economic centers of Tanzania. UBTL is committed to playing its due role in the growth and continued success of Tanzania and has demonstrated this through inducting local talent in important positions. This local pool will form a world class, professional workforce in the years to come. The Bank is fully geared up to support and serve its Tanzanian clientele with its highly personalized service and will strive to live up to its motto, “where you come first”! Mr. Zameer Choudrey, CEO Bestway Group & Director United Bank Limited, said, “I hope that our investment in the banking sector is the first of many. We hope to seriously explore the possibilities of investment opportunities in other sectors, including food distribution & cement”.
Under the wise leadership of H.E. Jakaya M. Kikwete, President of the United Republic of Tanzania, UBL Bank (Tanzania) Limited will expand and grow by participating in the visionary economic policies of the government and its regulator. The Board & Management of UBL expresses its thanks to the Government of Tanzania & the Bank of Tanzania for their guidance & support.
