The agreement was signed by Liu Mingkang, president of the Bankof China, and Davide Croff, chief executive officer of the BNL.

According to this agreement, the two banks will facilitate the penetration of their respective markets by their corporate customers. Italian and Chinese businessmen may receive every possible assistance both in stand-alone initiatives and in the case of joint ventures.

Specifically, the agreement concerns the extension of credit facilities and the supply of services to corporate customers, also for advisory purposes in the economic, legal and financial fields. In addition, it involves the exchange of information, products and services between the two banks in connection with the planned growth of their activities in China and Italy.

(People's Daily December 13, 2002)