BoV's experience in Libya discussed

"Bank of Valletta has had an active presence in Libya since it opened its Representative Office in Tripoli six years ago and many Maltese and European businessmen availed themselves of the knowledge accumulated by our officials on the ground," Charles Borg, executive head, CEO's Office, at Bank of Valletta, said.

"Concurrently, many Libyan businessmen sought our assistance in sourcing business opportunities in Malta as well as investment advice on their portfolios." Mr Borg was addressing an international conference on the theme, 'Succeeding in Libya - Strategies for New Business Opportunities 2006'.

Through the assistance of the bank's office in Tripoli, BoV's customers can rest assured of being offered up-to-date information on any developments that concerned their respective lines of business, Mr Borg said.

"We have established ourselves as a source of information, whereby both Maltese and Libyan businessmen convene to meet and discuss business proposals," Mr Borg said. "Our office has also become a mandatory stop-over for Maltese businessmen visiting Tripoli.

"It is the place where information is exchanged, ideas are discussed and new business initiatives take form."

BoV was a sponsor of the conference, organised by EMCS with the objective of providing delegates with an update on recent developments and also with concrete opportunities for networking and for business success in Libya.

Mr Borg explained how, over the years, BoV has developed a worldwide network of correspondent banks, and has also opened representative offices in Australia, Canada, Egypt, Italy, Tunisia and, of course in Libya.

"We believe that Libya has the potential to create win-win scenarios to the benefit of both countries and in support of entrepreneurs who are seeking to achieve business success in this country," Mr Borg said.

"Our direct presence in Libya seeks to facilitate the setting up process and contribute towards successful business ventures between the different parties. My invitation to all of you who are actively considering setting up in Libya, and to anyone looking at Malta as a base for wider regional operations, is to consider Bank of Valletta as a facilitator of your businesses' success."

BoV's Representative Office is located at Office 49, Ground Floor, Borg Al-Fateh Towers, Tripoli, and may be contacted on tel: 00218 21 3351661/3 or on e-mail bovlibya@ bov.com.