Karachi, 22 March 2021: HBL became the first Pakistani bank to open a branch and serve clients in
Beijing, China’s capital city.
The inauguration ceremony for HBL Beijing was attended by clients, regulators, and senior executives of
the Bank from across HBL’s international network. From Pakistan, Jameel Ahmad, Deputy Governor
State Bank of Pakistan Sultan Ali Allana, Chairman HBL, Mr. Muhammad Aurangzeb, President &
CEO – HBL, along with senior executives and HBL’s customers, virtually joined the ceremony. HBL Beijing
offers a full range of products & services for the Bank’s esteemed clients.
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HBL remains grateful to the Governments of Pakistan and China and the regulators for the trust and
the confidence they have reposed on the Bank, through the opening of the branch.
HBL has created history by being the first and only bank from Pakistan to have a branch in Beijing and
one of the three banks from South Asia and the MENA region to offer end-to-end RMB intermediation in
China. Upon commencement of business, HBL Beijing has become HBL’s second branch, and its managing
branch in China; both branches in Beijing and Urumqi are equipped with foreign exchange and RMB
license to better facilitate customers’ requirements in multiple currencies.
HBL’s presence in China will allow the bank to interact with State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) and leading
financial institutions involved in CPEC and across Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) corridors. China is a very
important market for HBL not only in terms of the business in China and CPEC but also for Chinese
companies working on projects in countries across the HBL network.
Chairman HBL, Sultan Ali Allana said, “HBL’s journey in China began in 2005 when we established our
Representative Office in Beijing. This was followed by the establishment of branch operations in Urumqi
in 2017 and today we mark the commencement of our branch operations in Beijing. It is an extremely
proud moment for us as we enhance our China franchise, and we look forward to playing a leading role
in facilitating regional trade and serving our valued customers throughout HBL’s international network.”
Commenting on the branch opening, Muhammad Aurangzeb, President & CEO, HBL said: “China is the
second home market for HBL and we will grow our business in the country. China remains the lynchpin
of HBL’s international strategy.
We are grateful to the regulators for having granted us the branch license. They are very supportive of developing market-based capabilities and encouraging financial institutions like HBL to provide clients best-in-class products and services.
HBL is the largest executor of CPEC related financing in Pakistan and the Bank’s presence in China has put us in a unique position to connect our clients across the HBL network directly with the businesses in China.
