STORY: PREMIER BANK OFFICIALLY

OPENS ITS DOORS IN SOMALIA

DURATION: 5:14
SOURCE: AMISOM PUBLIC INFORMATION
RESTRICTIONS: This media asset is free
for editorial broadcast, print, online and
radio use. It is not to be sold on and is
restricted for other purposes. All
enquiries to thenewsroom@auunist.org
CREDIT REQUIRED: AMISOM PUBLIC
INFORMATION
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH/SOMALI/NATS
DATELINE: 2015, MOGADISHU, SOMALIA
SHOTLIST
1.
Wide shot, Premier Bank building
2.
Med shot, entrance leading to the bank
decorated for the maiden opening
3.
Wide shot, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, President
of Somalia arrives at the venue
4.
Med shot, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, President of
Somalia cuts the ribbon to symbolise the official
opening of the bank
5.
Med shot, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, President of
Somalia
6.
Med shot, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, President of
Somalia unveils a plaque
7.
Wide shot, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, President
of Somalia and invited guests gathered at the venue
8.
Med shot, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, President of
Somalia
9.
Med shot, the master of ceremony conducts the
event
10. Close up the master of ceremony conducts the
event
11. Med shot, invited guests at the event
12. SOUNDBITE, SAFIYA ABDI, BRANCH OPERATIONS
MANAGER, PREMIER BANK.
Were really excited to be here today for the official
launch, its an amazing thing to have such a bank that

has met international standards in Somalia, it just

means that the country is headed to the right direction
and we really hope that this will encourage our
community to wake up and embrace the the country. I
believe that that Somalia is a beautiful place that has
its richness and is diverse and we really hope that when
peace prevails we will all be able to reach our potential
and have our people coming back. Its a great step for
us, a new beginning for everybody.
13. Close up, invited guest at the event
14. Med shot, guests who were at the function
15. Close up, invited guest at the event
16. Med shot, Mohamed Ibrahim aka Faraketi,
Minister of finance
17. Close up, invited guest
18. SOUNDBITE, MOHAMED FARAKETI IBRAHIM,
MINISTER OF FINANCE.
This is the most advanced Bank ever open in Somalia.
When I entered I felt like I was outside of the country,
because I could see all necessary standard banking
procedures in place. I commend the owners and staff
for their great work and service to customers.
19. Wide shot, invited guests at the event
20. Med shot, invited guests at the event
21. Close up, invited guest
22. Med shot, a camera operator at the event
23. Wide shot, a camera operator takes a camera
shot at Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, the President of
Somalia
24. Close up, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, President of
Somalia
25. Med shot, an invited guest at the event
26. SOUNDBITE, HASSAN SHEIKH MOHAMUD,
PRESIDENT OF SOMALIA.
I also commend the Somali Central Bank in their efforts
to encourage private financial institutions like this one
to open and flourish in the country. As the Central Bank
prepares the legal procedures needed for our
international partners to operate, there is still a
shortage of financial institutions. But Im proud of what

weve accomplished so far. There are a lot of great

things weve accomplished.
27. Med shot, invited guests at the event
28. Med shot, Mahat Mohamed, Managing Director,
Premier Bank
29. Close up, Mahat Mohamed, Managing Director,
Premier Bank
30. Close up, invited guest
31. SOUNDBITE, MAHAT MOHAMED, MANAGING
DIRECTOR, PREMIER BANK.
Premier Banks intention is to impact on the overall
growth that we continue to witness in our beloved
country, on the business side, we have also put in place
certain services that we do feel will support the growth
of the business community, we are happy to announce
today that Premier Bank is a registered swift partner,
with a swift code which will enable our people and our
customers to send money worldwide.
32. Close up, invited guest
33. Close up, invited guest
34. Med shot, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, President of
Somalia is awarded with a gift
35. Wide shot, customer service are in the bank
36. Med shot, a teller serves a customer
37. Close up, a teller at the bank
38. Close up, a customer signs a bank transaction
39. Close up, the teller keys in the customers details
40. SOUNDBITE, HODAN ABDINOR WARSAME,
ACCOUNT HOLDER.
Im a business woman, I recently opened an account
with Premier bank. It is easy to access my account for
my day to day banking. Premier bank covers my
business transaction requirements. I can access my
bank any time. It meets the community banking needs.
41. Med shot, a teller serves a customer
SCRIPT
Premier Bank formally opens its doors in Somalia

Banking in Somalia has received a big boost with the

launch today of Premier Bank, the second international
commercial bank to open up business in the country, in a
span of one year.
The bank, whose official opening was attended by Somali
President Hassan Sheikh Mohamoud, the Governor of
Somalias Central Bank Bashir Isse and other senior
government officials, promises to redefine banking
standards in the country through transformative banking
solutions.
The Banks Managing Director Mr. Mahat Ahmed promised
nothing short of stellar service. Premier Banks intention
is to impact on the overall growth that we continue to
witness in our beloved country, on the business side, we
have also put in place certain services that we do feel will
support the growth of the business community, we are
happy to announce today that Premier Bank is a registered
swift partner, with a swift code which will enable our
people and our customers to send money worldwide, he
said.
In his remarks, Somali President Hassan Sheikh
Mohamoud commended the Somali Central Bank for
providing a conducive environment for financial
institutions to thrive. He said, I commend the Somali
Central Bank in their efforts to encourage private financial
institutions like this one to open and flourish in the
country. As the Central Bank prepares the legal procedures
needed for our international partners to operate, there is
still a shortage of financial institutions. But Im proud of
what weve accomplished so far. There are a lot of great
things weve accomplished.
Somalias Minister of Finance Mohamed Ibrahim echoed
the Presidents remarks saying the Bank will connect
Somalia to other parts of the world and ease the pressure
brought about by the embargo on Hawalas, used for

money remittances from abroad. This is the most

advanced Bank ever open in Somalia. When I entered I felt
like I was outside of the country, because I could see all
necessary standard banking procedures in place. I
commend the owners and staff for their great work and
service to customers, added the minister.
Premier Bank Limited which transacts its business using
major international currencies, is a fully fledged Islamic
Bank providing several financial services. It has partnered
with MasterCard and SWIFT to deliver global online
financial services including Automated Teller Machines.
The bank has two branches in the capital Mogadishu and
has plans to expand its presence in the countrys main
cities.
The launch of the bank is yet another demonstration of
the peace and stability being witnessed in Somalia
following the intervention by the African Union Mission in
Somalia (AMISOM), who have driven away the Al Shabaab
militants from most of the country. Unverified figures puts
the banked in Somalia at only 3-percent, out of a
population of 10-million people. Millions of Somalis still
depend largely on the informal money transfer firms
known as Hawalas. However, with almost worldwide
restrictions on the unregulated money transfers due to
security concerns, the Federal Government is encouraging
Somalis to take up conventional banking which guarantees
security for their transactions.
END