COLOURING THE
WORLD IN 2002
Rabobank
What's NewS
Monthly internal newslettkr for Rabobank International issue6-June 1996
Announcing a client-marketing event that will not be accessible for
six years may appear rather premature. But our role as both chief
sponsor and banker to the world's biggest horticultural extravaganza
has already begun. Held once every 10 years, the Floriade gives Dutch
horticulturalists a chance to show off their expertise and innovative
techniques. By definition, the range of products which will be on
show needs time to grow, so planting has already begun. The last
event, in 1992, attracted no less than 3.3 million visitors,' says
Luuk Hans who is coordinating the bank's contribution. 'One of the
reasons we were selected as main sponsor is our extensive
international network. Obviously, the Floriade organizers want as
many foreign visitors as possible. Rabobank's F&A reputation
worldwide was a real advantage in that we have ready access to the
international marketplace. So we will be promoting the event actively
and extensively through our international offices.'
in brief
contents )-
WHAT'S IN A NAME?
More than you might think. A
new name for CBS has been a
long time in coming - various
alternatives have been
suggested over the past couple
^f years. But the decision to
change from Central Banking
Sector to the new Rabobank
International was reached only
last month.
The reason for the name
change is that 'CBS' is a
throw-back to the
organization's original function
- offering centralized services
primarily to member banks.
'Rabobank International' says
far more about actitivies, both
internally and externally. More
on page 15.
USDIOO-MILLION
INVESTMENT FOR
EASTERN EUROPE
IThe official opening of Rabo-
pRP Bank in Poland provided
the ideal opportunity to
Rabo Australia has launched an
AUDlOO-million Eurobond
guaranteed by Rabobank
Nederland with Hambros Bank
of London as lead manager.
announce the bank's strategie
plans for further investment in
the former Eastern Bloc. We
are currently looking at
opportunities in both the
Ukraine and Russia, with
Romania, Slovakia, the Czech
Republic and Slovenia as
other possibles. The plan
developed for expansion
eastwards is not limited to
Central and Eastern Europe,
but will also examine the
potential of former Soviet
republics in Central Asia. In
announcing the investment in
Warsaw, Rik van Slingelandt
(on the photo in the middle)
said: 'A country like
Kazakhstan, in Central Asia,
with its enormous agricultural
potential and negligible foreign
deht, offers interesting
perspectives. Other potential
countries in that region are
Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan.'
However, due caution will be
applied in selecting areas for
investment. 'Bulgaria also has
interesting food and agri-
perspectives,' Van Slingelandt
said, 'but is still hampered by
unstable economie
development, so is not a
priority target at present.'
(continued on page 4)
IT'S WHAT'S NEWS
TIME AGAIN. WE HAVE
A FULL ISSUE FOR
YOU THIS MONTH,
WITH THE FOLLOWING
HIGHLIGHTS.
Working relations - ice-cream
is hot in Poland 3
Looking east - major invest
ment for Central Europe 4
On the move - Rabo Securities
one year later 6
Belgium in focus - new
structure and products for the
market 7
Leasing link - DLL and the
bank 12
Talking heads - Hans Megens
on the art of banking 16