BNP PARIBAS TO MAKE M'SIA HUB FOR ASIA PACIFIC

KUALA LUMPUR, June 22 (Bernama) -- BNP Paribas, which recently received full
commercial banking licence from Bank Negara Malaysia (Malaysia's Central Bank)
said it will start working immediately to make Malaysia the Asia Pacific hub for
its Islamic finance business.

"This licence is a milestone for our presence here and for our Islamic
business in the region, in which Kuala Lumpur will play a central role as our
hub for Asia Pacific," Country head for BNP Paribas in Malaysia, Krishna Chetti,
said.

With the licence, the bank will be able to provide ringgit-based banking
products and solutions to its clients in Malaysia, Chetti said in a statement
Tuesday.

The bank also intends to focus on areas where it can add value such as in
specialised financing and fixed income, including the debt capital market as
well as establishing a comprehensive Islamic finance business in the region.

In addition, the bank will also play an important role to support the
development of business and trade flows between Malaysia and Europe, where
it has leadership positions, he added.
-- BERNAMA