DUSHANBE, December 2, 2008, Asia-Plus -- Open joint-stock company, Eskhata Bank, intends to open five new branches across the country.

According to Eskhata Bank’s head office in Khujand, the bank’s board chairman Khurshed Nosirov announced that at a meeting that was held at the end of last week.  The meeting was dedicated to the 14th anniversary of the functioning of the bank.

Speaking at the meeting, Nosirov noted that Eskhata bank currently has six branches in the Sughd province and two others in southern Tajikistan.  Besides, the bank has more than 100 money transfer outlets.  “In the near future, we will open another five branches and two of them will be opened in the south of the country,” the bank head said.

Funds for development of business account for 80 percent of Eskhata Bank’s loan portfolio.

Established in November 1993, a privately owned Eskhata Bank, with headquarters in Khujand, has eight branches in various regions of the country.  The bank got operating license in November 1994.

The bank provides settlement, collection and cash transaction services, loan disbursements, trade financing, and savings products to individual entrepreneurs and larger companies. Its retail services include consumer credit products, remittances, savings accounts and credit cards.