Bank of Kigali pledges more support to big investments

Investors who require funding for long-term projects need not worry anymore, James Gatera, the Bank of Kigali chief executive officer, has said. He said the bank now has the capacity to support projects of over Rwf20 billion. Some of the customers who attended the function on Friday. Bank of Kigali pledged to fund more big projects. (Timothy Kisambira.) Gatera, who reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to financing long-term projects, said the bank’s total equity has grown from about Rwf7 billion in 2006 to more than Rwf85 billion to date. He was speaking during the bank’s corporate clients’ day at the Kigali Serena Hotel on Friday. Mani Martin and his crew entertain guests The ‘BK Meet the client day’ attracted more than 300 members of the private sector and experts from the banking industry. (L-R) Rwangombwa, Amb Gatete and Gatera during BK’s clients’ day. Gatera noted that despite challenges in the financial industry, Bank of Kigali has continued to grow and serve clients better, with good customer service and innovative products. Gatera retaliated the bank’s commitment to supporting Rwanda development blueprint. James Gatera, the Bank of Kigali chief executive officer, addresses the guests. “We need to improve access to finance for all Rwandans; that is why we have embarked on an aggressive strategy to expand our branch network across the country,” he said. “Bank of Kigali has become a brand name, with more than 70 branches across the country because of your support. We will continue to build on your support to help create opportunities for those who want to invest in different projects, Gatera assured private sector players. Some of the guests that turned up for the event. Amb Claver Gatete, the Minister for Finance and Economic Planning, thanked the bank for pioneering product innovation in the finance industry. “The growth of any bank depends on its clientele. It’s, therefore, important that you partner with banks to be able to contribute to national development, Gatete said. He also urged banks and their clientele to list on the capital markets as one way of long term resource mobilisation that will help fast track economic growth. John Rwangombwa, the National Bank of Rwanda (BNR) governor, lauded the bank for spearheading agency banking and introducing points of sale across the country. John Rwangombwa, the National Bank of Rwanda governor, praised BK for introducing points of sale across the country. He urged the business community to embrace electronic banking and the East African payment system. “We are still predominantly a cash economy and we need to move towards a cashless economy to embrace efficiency and reduce on the risk of losses.” Murerwa Chantala, the managing director of New Kigali Designers, and a longtime client of the bank, praised the bank for understanding customer needs. “We are also what we are because of Bank of Kigali,” she noted She, however, urged the bank to raise its long-term financing period from seven years to at least 15 years.

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Bank of Kigali pledges more support to big investments