DUSHANBE, March 10, 2009, Asia-Plus  -- On March 6, Chairman of the Board of Open Joint-Stock Company (OJSC) Agroinvestbonk, Mr. Niyozmurod Saidmurodov, met here with visiting Secretary General of the Banking Association for Central and Eastern Europe (BACEE), Mr. Istvan Lendyel (phonetically spelled), according to Agroinvestbonk’s press service.

The sides discussed issues related to cooperation between Agroinvestbonk and BACEE.  The BACEE secretary general, in particular, briefed the Agroinvestbonk top manager on activity of the Association.

Saidmurodov, for his part, noted that Agroinvestbonk planned to establish mutually beneficial cooperation with the Association and participate in programs implemented by it, the press service said.

Founded in 1992, Agroinvestbonk, with headquarters in Dushanbe, is one of Tajikistan’s largest commercial banks.  It has main branches in Khorog, Khujand, Kulob and Qurghon Teppa and 61 other branches across the republic.

The Banking Association for Central and Eastern Europe was founded in 1996 with the goal of promoting business relations of its member banks with financial institutions of Central and Eastern Europe.  BACEE membership is open for all banks with good reputation, which want to develop their business in “New Europe”.  To support business expansion in the CEE region, which generally represents a higher risk than in the developed economies, BACEE is providing information and analytical services on country and bank risk in Central and Eastern Europe.  On the other hand, BACEE provides consulting services to its CEE member banks which want to develop a more active presence in international markets.  These services include suggestions regarding business policies, transparency, presentation of the banks’ documentation to foreign counterparts, pre- and post-rating advisory services, attraction of credit lines from foreign banks and international financial institutions and preparation for sale to foreign investors.  BACEE holds regular seminars, conferences and training courses to share its experience with the broader banking community.

In June 2008 BACEE signed a cooperation agreement with the Bonki Rushdi Tojikistoon (Tajikistan Development Bank or TDB).