State Bank of India (SBI) Singapore unveiled its new branch office at Jurong East heartlands on Monday with the High Commissioner of India to Singapore, Jawed Ashraf, present as the guest of honour.
In true multi-cultural fashion, the launch event comprised not just ribbon cutting and the lighting of lamps, but also a Chinese lion dance performance. Lion dances are a common practice in Singapore at the opening of commercial spaces, as they are said to be able to summon good fortune for new business ventures.
Ambassador K Kesavapany, former Director of the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies, was also present on the occasion.
“SBI is a very important partner for the High Commission of India in Singapore, the Indian community and, more broadly, for the India-Singapore economic ties,” said Jawed Ashraf. “All these years, their services have been exemplary, with a focus on serving the customers. With the new orientation towards technology-enabled processes, I am sure SBI Singapore is contributing in many ways to the overall improvement at SBI headquarters, and I look forward to SBI’s continued growth as India and Singapore’s economies expand.”
Speaking to Connected to India after the official proceedings, Kishore Kumar Poludasu, Country Head of SBI in Singapore, said, “We previously already had a branch in the Jurong East neighbourhood, but it was smaller and more compact. With this new spacious office, we want to bring to customers better service and increased convenience.”