Humphrey Mukwereza, Chief Executive Officer of the Standard Chartered Bank (SCB) Gambia, yesterday paid a courtesy call on Dr ABS Taal, Managing Director and the management of the Observer Company Ltd; publisher of the Daily Observer.

The SCB’s top brass, who was received with impressive alacrity by Dr Taal, was accompanied to the Observer offices by Haddijatou Faal, Corporate Affairs and Marketing Assistant of SCB, and Awa Loum Njie, the new SCB’s Head of Corporate Affairs, who was formally introduced to the Observer Company, after joining the bank in September.

During the visit, the delegation, together with its Observer counterparts, reflected on the scope of cooperation between the two organisations, and discussed possibilities to explore opportunities geared towards strengthening the long standing ties. Both were upbeat about fruitful collaboration in the future.

Speaking in an interview with the Daily Observer, Mr Mukwereza articulated that the new Head of Corporate Affairs will be responsible for the corporate affairs programme of the bank, saying that she would be working closely with Observer with a view to expand cooperation.

He confirmed that the bank will tailor its cooperation with the Observer based on its needs. He added that SCB places the public at the centre of its operation, saying that 25 per cent of its shares are owned by local shareholders.

He welcomed the Observer’s business magazine, acknowledging that this provides a rare platform for the bank to showcase its products and promulgate information revolving round their cooperate responsibilities, as well as performance.

Commenting on the state of financial coverage in the country, Chief Executive Officer Mukwereza observed that his bank is convinced that the Gambian media has done a good job. “We are happy with the level of coverage. We believe that the media could do a lot more analytical work,” he said.

He then used the opportunity to elaborate on an avalanche of plans being pursued by his bank, including the simplification of banking services.

Mr Mukwereza, who assumed office eight months ago, thanked the Observer management for the warm reception and the opportunity. Andrew Dacosta, Deputy Managing Director of Observer, was also present during the courtesy call.