Detail

Prague, 13 May 2005 - Komerční banka is very well aware of the growing importance of the Chinese economy on the global scale. China is a country that is currently one of the strongest magnets attracting foreign direct investments. The Chinese market may bring new options and new business opportunities also to Czech companies, but in the same time Chinese market is not easy to approach. Komerční banka pursues also the aim of supporting business development and it has therefore decided to organise a business mission and offer Czech companies an opportunity to learn more about the Chinese market while presenting the opportunities for co-operation with Société Générale in that region.

During the business mission organised by Komerční banka representatives of major Czech companies will have opportunities to meet those of Chinese business circles and of large European companies that have already established their presence on the Chinese market. A part of the mission is also a meeting with representatives of the Chinese Ministry of trade and with representatives of Société Générale China.

For KB clients, a distinctive advantage is Komerční banka's membership of the Société Générale Group, which operates in 75 countries of the world. Thanks to this affiliation KB is able to provide its customers with the required advisory and financial services all over the world.

Starting with a representative office in Beijing in 1981, Société Générale has established five full-service branches in key Chinese cities, creating one of the largest networks in China among all major international banks. Société Générale offers its clients in China a wide range of capabilities, including: commercial banking services in foreign currencies and local currency financings through arrangements with Chinese banks; trade finance, forex and interest rate hedging tools and syndicated loans and project finance, all in partnership with our Hong Kong-based investment bank, SG Asia Ltd.

KB is convinced that this business mission will be beneficial for the promotion of Czech-Chinese trade, and in turn for the further development of the Czech economy. As a leading Czech bank, Komerční banka appreciates the fact that it is able to contribute to this aim and like this to differentiate from its competitors.

Komerční banka is the third largest bank in the Czech Republic by the size of assets, providing comprehensive financial services to clients in retail, corporate and investment banking. Today, 7,600 KB employees serve more than 1,421,000 customers, who can use an extensive network of 337 points of sale all over the country. KB operates 568 ATMs and more than 700,000 of its customers use one of direct banking channels.

In 2004 KB was awarded the "Bank of the Year" title. KB is a part of the Société Générale Group, the 5th banking group in the euro zone. Some 90,000 of the Group's employees serve almost 16 million retail clients worldwide.