By Talha Ozturk

BELGRADE, Serbia

Turkish lender Halkbank on Monday added a new branch to its network in Serbia, where it already has a widespread presence.

At the opening of the branch in the capital Belgrade, Turkish Ambassador to Serbia Tanju Bilgic said that the bank's aim in Serbia is to boost trade with Turkey.

"Since the establishment of Halkbank in Serbia, our trade has grown significantly. In 2019 the trade volume will reach €2 billion [$2.28 billion]," he said.

Bilgic said economic ties are a key factor between the two countries, which is why more and more investors from Turkey should be attracted to Serbia.

The opening of the new branch also marked Turkey’s Republic Day.

Kenan Bozkurt, the bank’s CEO in Serbia, said that Halkbank wanted to honor Turkey’s 95th anniversary.

The official proclamation of the Turkish Republic by Mustafa Kemal Ataturk took place on Oct. 29, 1923, when the name of the nation and its status as a republic were declared, and parliament unanimously elected Ataturk Turkey’s first president.

Since then, Turkey has celebrated Republic Day every year on Oct. 29.

33rd branch

"This is our 33rd branch in Serbia,” said Bozkurt.

“Halkbank expanded its network throughout Serbia and grew more than 70 percent in three years and reached more than €450 million [$515.86 million] in assets."

"The bank’s profit is also rising every year. We’re planning to reach $1 billion in assets within the next three years," he added.

Focusing mainly on the real sector with a strong presence in retail banking, this year Halkbank also began giving agricultural loans.

New branches in other major cities are also planned to open in 2019.

Bozkurt also said that Halkbank will continue to serve its mission as a commercial bridge between the two countries.

Since the bank entered the Serbian market, many business forums and workshops with the participation of high-level politicians -- including the two countries' presidents and ministers -- were held, Bozkurt noted.

Turkey's 2nd-largest state lender

Halkbank is Turkey’s second-largest state lender after Ziraat Bank, with 900 branches and 19,000 employees.

It is currently the biggest Turkish investment in Serbia, where as of today it operates 33 branches throughout the country, and has more than 500 employees.

The bank opened its very first digital branch in the heart of the capital Belgrade. The first physical branch in Serbia opened in 2015.

Last December the bank also begin to provide credit cards and POS (point-of-service machines) for its Serbian clients, as well as for international businesspeople operating in Serbia.