ACCRA, July 31 (Xinhua) -- The partnership between the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC) and the Standard Bank of South Africa has created more convenience for Chinese investors in Africa, a senior executive said here on Wednesday.
Sylvia Inkoom, the head of client coverage at Stanbic Ghana, a local subsidiary of Standard Bank, made the remarks in an interview with Xinhua at a one-day special meeting held for Chinese clients of Standard Bank in Ghana.
"Our partnership with ICBC gives us the leverage to be able to deliver financial support, technical support, and insight to our Chinese clients in Ghana and the other 19 countries we operate in," she said.
Before the partnership between ICBC and Standard Bank, Inkoom said Chinese companies that came to do business in Africa had to spend time looking for credible banks.
With its 20.1-percent stake, ICBC is the single largest shareholder in the Johannesburg-based Standard Bank Group.
"It just makes the conversation easier, and more of a trust relationship now," she added.
The forum was organized to offer advice to the Chinese clients on the Ghanaian tax systems and investment opportunities in the northern parts of the country.
In his keynote address, Chinese ambassador to Ghana Wang Shiting commended the government of Ghana for its efforts in creating an enabling environment for business.
