Rand Merchant Bank Botswana (RMB) said it will introduce itself to new and big players in the mining sector to position the bank’s products in the resource sector, by presenting their credentials as RMB Botswana at the Botswana Resources Sector conference this week.
In an interview with Sunday Standard, RMB Botswana Coverage Director, Boiki Tema, said the resources sector is complex and very broad and also involves acquisition of capita. He said there is need to capitalise and ensure growth for both exploration miners and those who have been given mining licenses.
“There are certain solutions that we provide as RMB Botswana such as transactional, managing of liquidities as well as the movement of cash in and out. Most the mining companies also trade in foreign currencies and our effective management of cash is important to them,” said Tema.
He noted that most of the junior miners are looking for opportunities to raise capital while senior mining companies are always looking for either treasury solutions or supply chain finance. Tema spoke of RMB Botswana’s three core areas of global markets, corporate banking and also investment banking. He added that his RMB coverage team sells products across the spectrum while the bank’s relationship managers are sector focused and cover such sectors as retail, resources, state owned enterprises and financial institutions.
“We are more than ready to sell our RMB offering to our clients and also unlock opportunities. We are expected to play an interactive role at the resources sector conference,” he said.
He pointed out that their priority at the conference will be to ensure that clients understand the mandate of RMB in terms of service and its innovations. He also expressed confidence in his team adding that they have the best people to fit in the culture of RMB, with deep knowledge of the products. Tema believes RMB Botswana’s in-depth knowledge of local financing requirements, legal and jurisdictional frameworks, together with the expertise and balance sheet of FirstRand Bank, will enable them to service the needs of Botswana’s rapidly expanding economy.
“It is important for us to get a deeper understanding of the mining sector in Botswana by interacting with critical stakeholders in the mining industry,” said Tema.
He said RMB is a leading player in infrastructure and project finance and has closed a number of deals and landmark projects in over 15 African countries. The RMB Coverage Director said their experienced, multi-disciplinary infrastructure finance team provides funding solutions across all key infrastructure sectors, including public-private-partnerships, power, renewable energy, road, rail, ports, water, ICT, industrial and manufacturing facilities and state-owned enterprises.
“RMBB’s vision and primary business objective is to create sustainable value, unique solutions and superior economic returns for its clients and shareholders in Africa and beyond,” said Tema
He pointed out that RMB Botswana will utilize the upcoming 2014 Botswana Resource Sector Conference, June 10th-11th, as a platform for Botswana’s resource sector companies to enquire about its products and services and explore investment opportunities.
