BFC Group, the holding company of the kingdom's oldest money transfer and foreign exchange firm Bahrain Financing Company, plans to expand its retail business by opening branches in key locations across Bahrain, India, Malaysia and Kuwait.

Since May 2012, the BFC Group has increased its branch network in Bahrain by 18 per cent, and its international branch network by 31 per cent, reported the Gulf Daily News, our sister publication.

Over the last 12 months, an additional 13 branches in India, six in Kuwait and three in Malaysia have been opened, with further branches to be launched later in the year.

As part of this expansion plan, BFC - whose headquarters is located in Manama - yesterday opened its 34th branch at the Gold City to the public.

To celebrate the launch, the BFC will be giving away 100 gold coins to the first 100 customers making an FX or remittance transaction.

The benefits of increasing branch numbers not only extends to BFC's customers - the launch of new branches also creates new job opportunities, it said.

BFC has continued to increase its employee numbers over the years, even during more challenging economic times.

Over the last two years, BFC has increased staff numbers by 16 per cent and remains committed to supporting the next-generation workforce by working with local universities and through offering training programmes to new and existing employees.

"Our customers are at the centre of everything we do," said BFC Group managing director and chief executive Ebrahim Nonoo.

"We want to make sure that we are where they need us to be - in locations where they live and work, both here in Bahrain and further afield.

"By expanding our branch network locally and internationally, we are better able to provide our customers with all their remittance and foreign currency needs," Nonoo added.

"BFC is committed to this market and will continue to invest in our people, services and capabilities to ensure we are meeting all of our customers' needs," added BFC general manager Errol Fonseca.-TradeArabia News Service