The Demerara Bank Limited has opened a branch at Cotton Field on the Essequibo Coast.

Minister of Finance Mr. Ashni Singh, who declared the facility open Friday, said the Bank has an important role to play in the development process in the country.

According to the Minister, there is tremendous expansion in the industry, especially in the capital city of Georgetown, where banks have constructed new headquarters. Minister Singh said that he is pleased to see communities like Corriverton and Anna-Regina having modern banking services at their fingertips. According to the Minister, bankers are adopting an approach to see that banking services are provided to all Guyanese and urged all persons living in Anna-Regina Township and other villages to make use of the services of the banks, especially the saving services.

Minister Singh congratulated Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Demerara Bank, Dr. Yesu Persaud, for placing emphasis on services to the public, and urged bankers to do everything possible to encourage persons to visit their banks and look at ways to make the services more accessible to the public.

Minister Singh said the opening of the bank shows the confidence the Private Sector has in the sound economic policies of the Government, and is yet another manifestation of expansion in Guyana’s banking system.

He said Government welcomes the opening of the facility.

Director of the Bank, Dr. Yesu Persaud, said, “Nothing happens unless you make it happen”. The Director said he is very pleased with the progress of the Demerara Bank. According to Persaud, the bank has grown and has become mature.

Dr. Persaud also announced that before the end of the year, another branch of the Bank will be opened at Diamond on the East Bank of Demerara.

Present at the Commissioning ceremony were Region 2 Vice Chairman, Mr. Vishnu Samaroo; Parliamentarian Mr. Parmanand Persaud; Directors of the Demerara Bank Limited; Regional Executive Officer of Region 2, Mr. Sunil Singh; Brian Tiwari of BK International; and Sawmiller, Mr. Rupan Ramotar.