( - Emirates News Agency (WAM)) Dubai Bank - a Dubai Group company - has announced the opening of its 19th branch located on Abu Dhabi's Airport Road as part of an ambitious strategic plan to expand its current network of branches and offer customers easy access to all of its competitive Shari'a-compliant products and services.

The branch opening was attended by Mr Mohammad Omar Abdullah, Director General of the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Salaam Al Shaksy, CEO of Dubai Bank, and a number of the bank's senior executives. The dignitaries examined the latest technologies installed at the new branch, which enable it to provide more efficient and effective service to Dubai Bank customers.

Commenting on the occasion, Al Shaksy said, "The opening of this new branch is a result of the unstinting collective effort of the Dubai Bank team, who aspire to offer the best possible services to ensure that Dubai Bank maintains its high level of competitiveness and quality in the banking industry." "The various programmes launched by Dubai Bank to cater to the changing needs of our expanding customer base have significantly contributed to growing the bank's assets and profits, and to increasing its popularity. We will continue to follow this approach in order to maintain our level of industry superiority, excellence and leadership," Al Shaksy added.

Mr Abdullah stated that he was delighted at the progress being made by Dubai Bank, and congratulated bank officials on the tangible achievements made by the bank, which reflect a high level of maturity, efficiency and excellence in the banking industry. He also expressed his sincere wishes for the bank's continued advancement and prosperity.

Dubai Bank recently appointed Fadel Al Ali as Non-Executive Chairman and Mr Salaam Al Shaksy as CEO, following the bank's merger with Dubai Islamic Investment Group, a Dubai Group company, which marked a significant milestone in its expansion strategy across the UAE, having opened 10 branches last year and five branches by the middle of this year. The bank's annual profit also grew significantly in 2007, up 102 percent on the previous year to reach AED 211 million.

Dubai Bank's Emiratisation target for this year has been set at 26 percent, having already reported a rate of 22 percent in 2007; up from 15 percent in 2006. The bank's commitment to the goals of Emiratisation has also resulted in its adoption of the Ruwaad training programme for new UAE national graduates. The programme offers selected graduates an opportunity for comprehensive, hands-on career training by placing them in various departments and branches of the bank where they can benefit from on-the-job training.

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