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SINGAPORE : Qatar's Doha Bank wants to strengthen its position as a facilitator of Asian businesses heading into the Middle East.
The country's third biggest lender plans to grow its asset base from Asia by up to 15 per cent, come 2013.
This is compares to a seven per cent growth seen in the last three years.
The bank said there are opportunities abound in the Gulf in infrastructure development and green technology.
Dubai's bad debt crisis end last year overshadowed the success story seen in the Middle East.
But Doha Bank said the region presents huge opportunities.
One key area which Asian firms can take advantage of is in infrastructure development, such as construction and water treatment plants.
And the bank said it can play a role.
R Seetharaman, CEO, Doha Bank Group, said: "In terms of total assets, our intention is to take it to 15 per cent in the next three years. There is more reason to believe there is a growing opportunity between these two blocs. More and more Asian companies are coming to the Gulf and we want to facilitate them...in terms of advisory, then support them."
Through its offices in Tokyo, Seoul and Singapore, the bank is working with companies to help them expand into the Gulf Cooperation Council nations.
The bank is also keen to step up its Asian operations.
Doha Bank has grown aggressively in India through its 49 per cent stake in Doha Brokerage and Financial Services.
And it wants to set up an institutional desk there for corporate clients.
Mr Seetharaman said: "We also plan to have an asset management brokerage company as a 100 per cent subsidy of Doha Bank, and then we can link our global connection, whether it is New York, and Tokyo...we can bring it together as a global enterprise and brand equity. This should happen in the next six to 12 months' time."
Doha Bank said this model may be replicated elsewhere in Asia.
It has also been awarded a non-banking financial services licence in India to expand its consumer business there. - CNA/ms
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