To support the initiative of the Central Bank of Egypt (CBE) and the Egyptian economy, Emirates NBD Egypt actively participates in the Arab Financial Inclusion Day through a variety of offers and advantages, as Emirates NBD Egypt will open fee-free bank accounts with no minimum balance for individuals, as well as SMEs, to promote the motto of the initiative: "An Account for Every Citizen". Emirates NBD Egypt will provide its services and offers through its branches nationwide, as well as through the presence of the bank's taskforces at universities, clubs, and locations of youth gatherings across the country. The bank will also organise a number of activities to promote the importance of financial inclusion and spread awareness across the country to encourage citizens to open new bank accounts, including free training courses for SME owners to qualify them to run their businesses and increase their financial awareness. The first course will start on 27 April in Minya, Upper Egypt, and the second one is scheduled to be held on 3 May in Mansoura, in the Nile Delta. Frederic de Melker, head of retail banking and wealth management at Emirates NBD, said that the bank strongly supports the CBE's financial inclusion initiative, which will have a positive impact on the growth of the Egyptian economy and boost the country's financial stability. He added that financial inclusion is in the best interest of customers, as it introduces more competitive products that suit all segments of society and pays attention to customer complaints, which are addressed neutrally. He stressed that Emirates NBD Egypt welcomes robust competition among banks operating in the Egyptian market, and has full confidence in the quality of its distinctive products and services and their capability to ensure customer satisfaction. Hany El Shamy, head of SMEs at Emirates NBD Egypt, said that the realisation of financial inclusion positively impacts SMEs, providing this key sector with great momentum. He added that Emirates NBD Egypt offers a variety of banking products which help owners of SMEs expand their businesses, in addition to providing free consulting that boosts their opportunities of further success. He noted that the realisation of financial inclusion and opening bank accounts helps large segments of customers, such as owners of SMEs, micro businesses, women, youth, and others, to benefit from the numerous advantages provided by the banking system and the exceptional services provided by Emirates NBD Egypt.
