ȡlik Holding to expand bank network

PRISHTINA, Nov.4 – Ahmet ȡlik participated in the opening ceremony of Albania’s BKT bank branch in Kosovo. ȡlik made a speech at the opening ceremony of a branch of Albania’s second largest bank, in which ȡlik Holding bought a 60 percent stake a year ago. ȡlik said ȡlik Holding entered the finance sector in 1999 with ȡlikbank and purchased Banka Kombetare Tregtare within their growth strategy in 2006 with the ߥkerbank consortium. He noted they had devised of a goal during the acquisition process to make the bank a regional leader. “And that’s why we plan to launch branches in Macedonia and Kosovo,” he said, adding they have taken the first step by opening one branch in Kosovo. ȡlik recalled that the Albanian bank has been listed in the 10 most profitable banks in middle and eastern Europe by Finance Central Europe in terms of capital equity profitability. After the ceremony, ȡlik responded to questions from reporters, noting they will launch a branch in Macedonia in 2008. “ȡlikbank will enlarge its network in the Balkans, Caucasus and around Turkey in addition to Banka Kombetare Tregtare,” he said.