ABN AMRO today officially opened the bank's branch in Shanghai in the presence of the Dutch Ambassador Mr Ron Keller, and Mr Gerrit Zalm and Mr Joop Wijn of the Managing Board of ABN AMRO. The branch will focus on supporting the bank's corporate clients in the region. ABN AMRO has been present in Shanghai with a representative office since April 2012, and recently received all necessary approvals from regulators for the representative office to become a branch. Gerrit Zalm, Chairman of the Managing Board, said: 'With a branch we are able to offer our clients a broader range of services and products. It also marks a further step in our selective international growth ambition. I am happy to be here today for the official opening'. Maureen Derooij, Country Executive Greater China, added: 'China is an important market for our clients given the country's position as the leading global consumer of energy, as well as being the world's largest producer of commodities. We are able to provide financing solutions to global clients in sectors such as commodity finance, shipping, oil & gas and offshore oil services'. The Netherlands is China's second largest trade partner in the European Union, and ABN AMRO has historically been a major source of trade finance between the countries. In Asia Pacific, the bank provides services to corporate and private banking clients across the region from offices in Hong Kong, Shanghai, Singapore, Sydney and Tokyo. The branch in Shanghai will be overseen by Arthur Zou.
AB Amro has officially opened a branch in Shanghai ; it will focus on serving the bank 's corporate customers in the region . The bank had previously only maintained a representative office in the country . The Netherlands is China 's second largest trading partner in the European Union and ABN Amro has historically been a major source of trade finance between the countries .