Annual Report - BNP Paribas

Asia
In China, the Group is developing a strategic partnership
with Bank of Nanjing, in which it holds a 12.6% stake.
The two banks have begun to cooperate closely in retail
banking and consumer credit as well as processes, risk
management and organisation. In 2007, Cetelem launched
a consumer credit business in Nanjing. The listing
of the Bank of Nanjing on the Shanghai Stock Exchange
made it possible to raise the necessary funds to continue
the geographic expansion begun in 2007.
In parallel, the Group signed a strategic partnership with
the Vietnamese bank Orient Commercial Bank (OCB).
Africa – French overseas departments
and territories
BNP Paribas’ operations in Africa are organised around
the network of Banque Internationale pour le Commerce
et l’Industrie (BICI). With 90 branches located in six
countries (Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Gabon, Guinea
Conakry, Mali and Senegal), the Emerging Markets business
manages one of the largest banking networks in
French-speaking Africa. The business also has operations
in Madagascar. In the French overseas departments
and territories, it has 55 branches and enjoys prominent
market positioning.
BNP Paribas and AFD,
partners in microfi nance
and sustainable
development
In March, BNP Paribas
signed a framework
agreement with AFD
(the French Development
Agency) in the areas
of microfi nance and
sustainable development.
The agreement applies
to countries where both
organisations operate
and strengthens institutional
links as well as existing
partnerships, particularly
in North Africa, sub-
Saharan Africa, Turkey
and the French overseas
departments and territories.
Financing of microfi nance
institutions or SMEs,
combined with the issuance
of guarantees by AFD
through its ARIZ fund or
its subsidiary Proparco,
has already begun in
Madagascar, Guinea,
Senegal and, more recently,
Mali. The Mali BICI has
just granted a loan to the
microfi nance institute
Miselini, which fi nances the
small businesses and craft
industries of about 14,000
women in the disadvantaged
areas of Bamako.
In several countries,
the Group’s subsidiaries
also receive long-term
refi nancing from AFD for
client projects related to
sustainable development.
Two agreements for
EUR 40 million were signed
in 2007: with TEB (Türk
Ekonomi Bankası) in relation
to social responsibility
and with three Tunisian
banks, including UBCI,
for environmental projects.
BNP Paribas Annual Report 2007 /////// International Retail Services
BICIS, Dakar
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