Mubasher: Bank of Bahrain and Kuwait (BBK) said Monday that it has inaugurated its first representative office in Istanbul, Turkey, according to a statement.

” Turkey’s international economic status and the increasing mutual trade with Bahrain were key reasons for the bank’s strategic aspirations of international expansion and diversification,” said Reyadh Sater, the bank’s CEO.

“BBK has been engaged with Turkey for more than two decades. However, in the last decade Turkey has emerged as one of the main markets for our bank outside the GCC, with exposures to leading banks, financial institutions and corporates. The opening of our office in this historic city of Istanbul is the logical result of our continuing relationship with Turkey,” he added.

The office’s Chief Representative, Bilgun Gurkan, said, “With over 150 financial institutions in Turkey, we are proud to inaugurate the BBK Turkey representative office and happy to see our name under the BRSA (Banking Regulation and Supervision Agency of Turkey) as the recent and latest addition to Turkey financial system.