Accra, Feb. 14, GNA - Mrs Margaret Mwanakatwe, Managing Director Barclays Bank, Ghana, on Wednesday pledged that the bank would focus on Ghana's economic development by evolving innovative banking products tailored to meet everyday needs of customers.

In an address at a cake cutting ceremony to mark the 90th anniversary celebration of the bank in Ghana, Mrs Mwanakatwe said "throughout the years, we have shown faith with Ghanaians and are more determined than ever to be the leading contributor in Ghana's economy".

She said it was in this regard that Barclays Bank had over the years pioneered the introduction of several innovative products into the economy and had grown to become the leader in the industry. "Innovations have been the secret of our success and I am proud to say that we were the first to be fully networked through out the country, the first to introduce ATM's and the first to introduce products aimed at Small Scale Enterprises (SME), to mention a few." Mrs Mwanakatwe said different sectors of the Ghanaian economy had also benefited from Barclays Bank's global structures, citing Barclays' syndication to raise money for Ghana COCOBOD to buy cocoa.

"The energy sector has also benefited through the bank's credit facilities extended to finance Ghana's participation in the West Africa Gas Pipeline project, the completion of the Parliament House and construction of facilities to host the up-coming CAN 2008." Mrs Mwanakatwe assisted by Mr Acquaye, the oldest customer of the bank who has been saving with the bank for the past 63 years and Mr Clement Otoo, a staff celebrating his birthday on Wednesday, cut the anniversary cake to commemorate of the day.

There were 90 rectangular cakes, each symbolizing one year in the life of the bank in the country and another giant one designed in the number 90.

Similar cake -cutting ceremonies are being held at all branches of the bank. As a special treat the bank will give out special Barclays at 90 chocolates to its customers.