Al Ahli Bank of Kuwait has opened its first branch in the UAE capital of Abu Dhabi.

Al Ahli Bank of Kuwait (ABK), established in Kuwait in 1967, has 22 branches throughout the country. It was also the first Kuwaiti bank to establish in Dubai in 1986. The Dubai branch is operating as a full fledged commercial bank, providing international banking services and catering to the banking needs of Kuwaiti and local businessmen in Dubai.

Now ABK’s latest successful venture makes it the first Kuwaiti bank to open in Abu Dhabi.

Although the ABK Branch in Abu Dhabi will initially cater mainly to its corporate clients, including trade financing and major projects in Abu Dhabi and the UAE, the branch will also be available to service its retail banking clientele.

Ali Hilal Al Mutairi, deputy chairman and MD, said: "We are pleased to be the first Kuwaiti bank to be opening in Abu Dhabi. Abu Dhabi is a fast growing emirate that has a huge potential for all our corporate and retail clients to benefit from. We will use our years of expertise and professional management skills to invest in new and ongoing projects.”

ABK now has plans to open in Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah, as well as further regional expansion in Qatar and Oman, he said. –TradeArabia News Service