KUWAIT: Lord Mayor of the City of London William Russell poses for a group picture with National Bank of Kuwait officials during a visit to NBK headquarters yesterday.

KUWAIT: National Bank of Kuwait (NBK) hosted William Russell, Lord Mayor of the City of London, and his accompanying delegation for a luncheon at its headquarters, on the sidelines of his annual visit to Kuwait, during which he is always keen to visit the bank. Lord Russell and his accompanying delegation, including UK Ambassador to Kuwait Belinda Lewis, and a group of London City officials, were received by NBK Group Chairman, and a number of board members and executive management.

On this occasion, NBK Group Chairman Nasser Al-Sayer delivered a speech in which he welcomed the visitors, expressing his appreciation for the leading role played by the Lord Mayor of London in strengthening relations between Kuwait and the City hosting many major Kuwaiti financial institutions.

Sayer stressed that the strong, long-standing ties between the business communities in the two countries for decades yielded successful commercial and financial relations, extending to the exchange of expertise and visions, and significantly contributing to serve the mutual interests of the two countries.

NBK Group Chairman Nasser Al-Sayer (left) presents a memento to Lord Mayor of London William Russell.

NBK is keen to be present in the main financial markets, foremost of which is the City of London, in line with the bank's strategy to support trade exchange between developed economies and countries in the region, in addition to serving its customers around the world. It also aims to strengthen relations with major London-based international companies seeking to launch their business in Kuwait and the region, Sayer noted. NBK had established its branch in London back in the late 1970s, becoming the first Gulf bank to enter the British market, as part of its international expansion strategy.

During his visit to Kuwait, Lord Russell will meet with senior economic officials to discuss strengthening economic and trade relations between the two countries, in addition to exploring the prospects of investment opportunities and aspects of cooperation in many sectors, and reviewing the latest financial and economic developments on the local and global arenas.

National Bank of Kuwait enjoys a widespread international footprint with overseas branches and subsidiaries in China, Geneva, London, Paris, New York and Singapore, in addition to its regional presence in Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Iraq and UAE.