UBA Ghana Partners IATA At Aviation Regional Summit

The United Bank for Africa (Ghana) Limited, one of Ghana’s leading banks recently partnered the International Air Transport Association (IATA) in Accra, to bring together stakeholders in the Aviation industry from Africa, Middle East and Europe at the just ended Summit and Gala Night Dinner in Ghana.

The event held at the Marriott Hotel brought together more than 200 distinguished aviation decision makers and influencers, representing Airlines, Airport Managers, Regulatory Authorities, Government Agencies, Air navigators, International and Regional Organizations, Aviation Suppliers and Aircraft Manufacturers. to discuss the theme: Aviation Business for Regional Prosperity.

Speaking at the event, the Vice-President of the Republic of Ghana, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, charged stakeholders in the aviation industry to collaborate and work to minimise air transport fares, as well as improve connectivity within the sub-region.

He called for the strengthening, coordination and harmonisation in regional policies to ensure a vibrant aviation industry.

The Vice President indicated that Ghana made giant strides in the development of domestic air travel by abolishing VAT on airfares and there has been significant growth in local travels by air.

He hinted that plans are far advanced to inaugurate a national carrier and government is working with the private sector and international investors to realise this ambition within the shortest possible time.

In his goodwill message, Mr. Isong Udom, the MD/CEO of United Bank for Africa (Ghana) Limited after welcoming the delegates reiterated the importance of the Aviation Industry in Economic Growth, Tourism and Regional Integration maintaining that the industry remains one of the most critical components of National Development for any Nation.

He said that in a highly Globalised world where technology innovations is breaking barriers to Economic and Social integrations the Aviation Industry and more specifically IATA occupies a very important position in enabling smooth movement of people and resources across wide geographical divides.

He continued by saying that the prosperity of Nations will depend not only in their internal strengths but their ability to collaborate with other nations and IATA has facilitated that seamless relationship between Nations through the critical roles it plays in this important industry.

Mr. Isong traced the rich history of United Bank for Africa’s relationship with IATA and emphasised that this was made possible by IATA’s extensive investment in Technology for its operations and the Bank’s strong digital capabilities which brings uncommon synergies between the two institutions.

"Our collaboration leverages our robust Digital Banking Infrastructure to provide such services as Payments and Collections, Treasury Management Services, Transaction Services, Account Aggregation and strong Reporting capabilities across many countries where we have common footprints he said. This dynamic relationship has seen us grow our partnerships over the years," he stated.

Mr. Isong Udom reiterated that “The IATA Conference provides a very unique networking opportunity for all stakeholders and informed the participants that it underscores the decision of UBA to sponsor the Gala Night which will give participants the opportunity to explore business relationships under very relaxed atmosphere."

He promised that United Bank for Africa will use this rare opportunity to interact and present a more granular version of our custom offerings to every sector in the aviation value chain and more importantly listen attentively to the challenges and expectations of the delegates with a view to providing tailor-made solution to these needs.

He commended the aviation sector in Ghana for providing world-class aviation infrastructure and also Aviation Safety.

The IATA Aviation Summit is Africa and Middle East (AME) region’s biggest industry event of the year. UBA is pleased to have partnered with IATA to make the 2019 Summit a success.