DUSHANBE, November 30, Asia-Plus - Tajikistan’s savings bank, AmonatBonk, seeks cooperation with the Agricultural Bank of China (ABC).  

According to AmonatBonk, the AmonatBonk head Mahmadamin Mahmadaminov met with representatives from China’s bank in early November to discuss establishment of investment, business and friendly ties.   

The sides have agreed to launch a money transfer system, through which Tajik entrepreneurs could remit funds to China.  “Many Tajik entrepreneurs are bringing goods from China and this system will facilitate their activity,” the source said, noting that this service has been launched with support of Russia’s InterKoopBank through its money transfer system InterExpress.  

“Entrepreneurs now may remit funds via this system and receive them in 22,000 points of ABC in China,” the source said.  

Besides, Mahmadaminov and the ABC representatives also considered the possibility of ABC’s investing in development of the Tajik bank and expansion of its banking service.  

Established in 1998, AmonatBonk has five regional and 69 district and city branches.  This year alone, 230 money-transfer centers of AmonatBonk have been set up in the country, bringing the total to 313.

As one of the four large state-owned commercial banks, Agricultural Bank of China, ABC, is an important component of China''s financial system, with its head office in Beijing.  In China, ABC boasts its extensive outlets covering urban and rural areas, strong funds and complete service functions, which enables the bank to make rapid growth, becoming one of the biggest banks in China.  Agricultural Bank is listed as one of the World Top 500 companies by Fortune.  At present, ABC owns 32 provincial level branches, 5 directly affiliated branches, 1 banking department of head office, 3 training colleges, and has set up branches in Singapore and Hong Kong, established the offices in London, Tokyo, and New York, etc.