OREANDA-NEWS. May 10, 2011. A special promotion meeting for the "Chinese Desk" was held jointly by Bank of China and Ecobank in Ghana. The launching ceremony was attended by about 100 people, including Mr. Gao Wenzhi, the Economic and Commercial Counselor of Chinese Embassy in Ghana, Ms. Hannah Tetteh, the Minister of Industry and Trade of Ghana, principals from Ecobank Group headquarters and branches in Ghana as well as representatives of the Chinese enterprises in Ghana, reported the press-centre of Bank of China.

Ms. Tetteh stated in her speech that Ghana and China have a long history of friendship. As the continuous development of bilateral trade, trade volume in 2010 reached a record USD 2 billion, with Chinese enterprises in Ghana covering various areas including infrastructure, construction, communications, restaurant, service, and wholesale. As the second largest economy in the world, China has taken a considerable share on the international market with inexpensive quality goods. However, because of the still imbalance between the import and export of the two countries, financial cooperation between Bank of China and Ecobank is expected to be strengthened to serve both Chinese enterprises and local firms in Ghana and play an active role in promoting the growth of export for Ghana.

Under the management of the Economic Community of West African States, Ecobank is one of the most influential and competitive African commercial banks with its branches spread in 32 African countries.  By the ongoing strategic cooperation of launching " Chinese Desk " within the relevant outlets of Ecobank, Bank of China can meet the specific needs of local Chinese enterprises with convenient, safe and efficient financial services by directly deploying its own staff on such counters and making use of the fully authorized banking license and the extensive network of the local correspondent bank.