Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Dar es Salaam (Agenzia Fides) - “The church believes that if it has to serve the people well, these kind of projects are inevitable,” said Cardinal Polycarp Pengo, Archbishop of Dar es Salaam, in the opening ceremony for the first Catholic commercial bank in Tanzania: Mkombozi Bank.
Cardinal Pengo highlighted that the bank was just one among many projects - universities, schools, hospitals, farms - that the church operates in the country and that are open to all Tanzanians, without any discrimination of religious character.
Officiating at the launching ceremony in Dar es Salaam, retired President Ali Hassan Mwinyi challenged other religions in the country to emulate the Catholics, saying with many commercial banks coming up, people will have good services, get employment and the government will be able to collect more taxes. "What has impressed me most is to hear that this bank has been established using resources of Tanzanians, without aids from foreigners," Mr. Mwinyi said, just prior to his opening a saving account with the bank.
Although the official opening ceremony of the bank has taken place only now, it had already begun its services in August 2009. Executive Director of the bank, Edwina Lupembe, highlighted the social role of Mkombozi Bank. In addition to normal banking services, the Catholic institution also offers financial and business education to its customers, in order to create small companies. The bank finally intends to offer loans to small farmers, to support poverty reduction in rural areas launched by the government. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 27/3/2010)
