Scotia Bank has announced that its operations in Guyana last year realised a record profit before tax of $1.4 bn, representing a 33 per cent increase over 2006. And the bank has said in a statement released to coincide with its 40th anniversary that it continues to be optimistic about the future of Guyana.
Scotia Country Manager Amanda St Aubyn has identified what she described as “some encouraging signs in the economy” including the Berbice River Bridge which is currently under construction, the prospects for the production of ethanol in Guyana on a commercial scale, the prospect of a petroleum find and the imminent completion of the bridge across the Takutu River which St Aubyn says will increase commercial activity between Guyana and Brazil.
The Scotia Bank Country Manager has also expressed optimism about the potential of the country’s gold industry to enhance its contribution to the country’s economy in the light of rising gold prices on the world market.
Meanwhile Scotia Bank says that its priorities for 2008 include the launch of a call centre to handle incoming customer traffic, the expansion of its network of ABM services and the launch of business cash management and retail internet banking facilities.
Scotia Bank opened its first branch in Guyana in September 1968 and says that it will shortly be releasing a programme of activities to celebrate its 40th anniversary. During its stay in Guyana the bank’s presence has grown to five branches including two in Georgetown, two in Essequibo and one in Berbice.
The bank’s country manager is the most senior female official in the local commercial banking sector.