Wilma DenHartigh, on behalf of Mercantile Bank, said the business centre was a first in the South African banking sector and it is aimed at improving banking for entrepreneurs.
“The flagship centre is the first of its kind,” added DenHartigh. She said it would improve the process of banking by speeding up transactions and reducing the time a business owner has to spend attending to financial administration.
Guests were invited to attend the opening of the centre and enjoy an evening of cocktails and networking. The official opening was conducted by Karl Kumbier, the chief executive officer of Mercantile Bank together with Portugal’s Deputy Minister of Economy, Investment and Innovation, Pedro Gonçalves, and the Gauteng Premier, David Makhura.
“We are confident that we can exploit this mutually beneficial relationship and take our countries forward,” said Makhura.
Gonçalves said that Portugal values its economic, historical and cultural relationship with South Africa. “We are honoured to participate in the opening of this business centre,” he added.
“We have a deep understanding of the needs of the South African entrepreneur and this is why we wanted our business centres to cater exclusively for business owners,” said Kumbier.
