Remarks

Remarks by Chargé d’Affaires, a.i. Judith A. Chammas at the Opening of the Citibank Country Processing Center And Motijheel Branch Relocation

Dhaka

March 9, 2006

Honorable Governor of the Bangladesh Bank, Salehuddin Ahmed, CEO of Citibank, Mamun Rashid, members of the banking and business community, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, Ah-Salaam Wah Alay-kum, Namashkar and good morning.

It is indeed an honor and a pleasure to be here today to open your new country processing center and relocated Motijheel branch.  Citigroup Inc. is today’s pre-eminent financial services company, with some 200 million customer accounts in more than 100 countries. The group's history dates back to the founding of Citibank in 1812.  Citibank Bangladesh has an equally proud history, serving the people of Bangladesh since 1987. 

And I do mean serving the people.  Citibank provides a wide range of financial services to both the government and commercial enterprises throughout Bangladesh.  We at the U.S. Embassy are delighted to bank with Citibank. 

But Citibank is not just about financial services and commercial success.  As most of you here today know, Citibank is recognized for its role in the Bangladeshi community as one of the most generous private sector organizations here. Citibank has been a strong advocate of micro-credit as a means of sustainable community development. It has also donated substantially to education related NGOs and has sponsored projects to improve literacy.  Indeed, the amount and variety of philanthropic activities that Citibank undertakes are too numerous for me to recount here.

Today's opening of this new branch and country processing center also demonstrates Citibank's commitment to its people.  Not only will these facilities provide improved workspace for Citibank's employees; the country processing center improves Citibank's operational capacity, giving its employees the tools they need to better serve their customers – the people of Bangladesh.

Citibank Bangladesh and its affiliates in Citigroup worldwide represent the best in American businesses – services of outstanding quality and value, backed by constant innovation, underpinned by demonstrated corporate responsibility to its customers and its community.  Congratulations to you, Mamun, and to all your hard-working colleagues at Citibank Bangladesh, on the opening of this facility and the renewed commitment to Bangladesh it represents.

Thank you, donnabad, and good day.

Note:  A Bangla translation of this article is also available from the American Center.  If you are interested in the translation, please call the American Center Press Section (Tel: 8813440-4, Fax: 9881677; e-mail: DhakaPA@state.gov; Website: dhaka.usembassy.gov