CIMB BANK PLC OFFICIALLY LAUNCHED IN PHNOM PENH

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 19 (Bernama) -- CIMB Bank Plc was officially launched in
Phnom Penh Friday after CIMB Group received a licence to fully operate a 100 per
cent-owned subsidiary in Cambodia.

CIMB received approval-in-principle to establish and operate in Cambodia six
months ago to offer banking products and services to the nation of 14.5 million
people.

Group chief executive Nazir Razak said the group was optimistic about the
long-term prospects of the Cambodian economy.

"This has been reaffirmed based on CIMB's experience during its initial
set-up phase, interaction with the government, the central bank and its people,"
he said at the launch of the branch which also serves as the headquarters.

Nazir said with the nation's able leadership, vibrant economy and young and
capable population, Cambodia was poised to become a key regional market for the
group in the near future.

"We find ourselves at the beginning of an enduring two-way relationship. In
establishing ourselves in Cambodia, we also bring with us our regional network
of clients, customers and resources -- businesses, corporates, vendors, trading
partners, professionals and others," he said.

"We will share our expertise, our financial solutions and best practices to
contribute towards the Cambodian banking system and the economy as a whole."

According to Nazir, one of CIMB's key differentiators is its multi-local
business model which it has successfully implemented across its Asean franchise
and intends to do the same in Cambodia.

With the establishment of CIMB in Cambodia, the group is now present in
eight out of 10 Asean nations with access to 89 per cent of its gross domestic
product (GDP) and 82 per cent of the region's population.

CIMB Group is Malaysia's second largest financial services provider and one
of Southeast Asia's leading universal banking groups.
-- BERNAMA