Photos: NBE New York hosts a large Iftar party attended by a group of members of the diplomatic and public figures in the United States

Amged Maky – New York

At the invitation of Mr. Khaled El-Ghorab, General Manager of the National Bank of Egypt in New York City, a select group of members of the diplomatic and consular corps, the investment community, major American companies specializing in cross-border investment, religious figures, public figures, a select group of businessmen and women, and members of the American and Arab media participated.

The attendees accepted the invitation to join the Iftar party during the holy month of Ramadan on Wednesday, March 12, 2025.

The event aimed to strengthen economic and social ties, which are of interest to economists, business owners, and investors interested in commercial and investment transactions in Egypt.

At the beginning of the party, Mr. Khaled El-Ghorab, General Manager of the National Bank of Egypt, delivered a speech in which he welcomed the guests, emphasizing that all attendees are colleagues and partners in the success of the National Bank of Egypt in New York, which helps it continue to comply with banking regulations in the second state of the United States.

Al-Ghorab noted that the National Bank of Egypt has been present in the United States for approximately 24 years, and that next year will mark the bank’s silver jubilee in New York. He expressed pride in carrying Egypt’s name in the American market, a name steeped in a seven-thousand-year-old civilization, and hoped that all attendees would participate in the celebration next year.

His Excellency Ambassador Maged Abdel Fattah, Head of the Arab League Mission to the United Nations in New York, then delivered a speech in which he thanked Mr. Khaled Al-Ghorab and all the organizers and attendees for this grand event, which, since his arrival, has been able to bring back memories of the Egyptian atmosphere accompanying the celebration of the holy month of Ramadan.

He noted that the National Bank of Egypt continues to achieve numerous successes both inside and outside Egypt, and wished the bank further successes under Mr. Khaled Al-Ghorab’s leadership, benefiting all its customers in the United States.

His Eminence Sheikh Ahmed Dowidar, Imam of the Othman Ibn Affan Mosque in Midtown Manhattan, also delivered a speech in which he expressed his pride and honor in being present among this distinguished gathering. He called for the spread of peace and the end of wars around the world, and hoped that God would protect Egypt, its leadership and people, and that peace, tolerance, and love would come as a blessing during these virtuous days.

Fr. Moses Baghdadi, the official of the Papal Residence in Cedar Grove, New Jersey, then delivered a speech in which he expressed his pride in the attendees’ participation in the Iftar celebration, emulating the Egyptian proverb of sharing “bread and salt.” He noted that while Muslims celebrate the holy month of Ramadan, Christians also celebrate Great Lent.

Baghdadi pointed out that celebrating the Ramadan atmosphere is not limited to Muslims, recalling his childhood memories of helping to hang Ramadan decorations in the streets and going with his father more than once to buy Ramadan lanterns.

He explained that the culture of Ramadan brings us closer to one another, and that fasting and prayer are the two wings closest to faith and closeness to God. Baghdadi also noted that participating in such celebrations makes them more expressive of the love that all religions agree upon. Just as Islam says, “Religion is behavior,” Christianity says, “Show me your faith through your interactions.” He hoped that peace and love would prevail among all attendees.

The ceremony was attended by His Excellency Ambassador Maged Abdel Fattah, Head of the Arab League Mission in New York, and his wife; Colonel Mohamed Hemat, Military Advisor to the Egyptian Mission to the United Nations; Counselor Sherif El-Fakharany, Consulate General of Egypt in New York; and Mrs. Nasreen Farouk, wife of Ambassador Ahmed Farouk, Ambassador of the Arab Republic of Egypt to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Also in attendance were Mr. Ahmed Wagdy, Regional Director of EgyptAir’s branch in the United States of America, Dr. Moez Dourad, Regional Director of UN Women for the Arab States, and a large number of executives from banks, commercial companies, and information technology companies in New York, as well as clients of the National Bank of Egypt, including:

Moody’s

Citibank

Sumitomo Mitsui Trust

JP Morgan

General Electric

Mizuho America

UBS

Ernst

Young

Durst

Among businessmen, Dr. Hossam Abdel Maksoud, CEO of Community Care Rx for Advanced Pharmaceutical Industries, and Dr. Abed El Keshk, Vice President of Saint Vincent University in New York, in addition to a number of businessmen, civil society organizations, and American and Arab media.

At the end of the ceremony, attendees affirmed their keenness to work now and in the future to ensure that their businesses and projects in Egypt attract more investment. They thanked the National Bank of Egypt management for this generous gesture, hoping that their efforts will help achieve the noble goals pursued by the New York financial and business community in solidarity with the idea of stimulating investment in Egypt.

About the National Bank of Egypt, New York City Branch:

The National Bank of Egypt (NBE) is the oldest and largest commercial bank in Egypt, founded on June 25, 1898.

In 2001, the National Bank of Egypt obtained a license to open a branch in New York City, making it the only Egyptian branch of an Egyptian bank in North and South America. The branch is regulated by the New York State Division of Banking and the US Federal Reserve, and employs approximately 40 employees of various nationalities.

The New York branch focuses on supporting foreign trade between the United States and Egypt, as well as the Middle East and North Africa region.

The branch also provides banking services to multinational companies operating in Egypt that require issuing letters of credit for their operations and enhancing documentary credits for import and export transactions.

In addition, the branch provides services to the Egyptian community residing in the United States, such as opening bank accounts in Egypt, updating data, and issuing bank powers of attorney. It also provides information on investment opportunities available in Egypt through the National Bank of Egypt’s Investment Trustees Department.

The Bank’s Business with Corporates in the Investment Sector:

The New York branch focuses on providing corporate banking services, including:

Promoting documentary credits: facilitating import and export transactions between American and Egyptian companies.

Issuing letters of guarantee: supporting multinational companies in their operations in Egypt.

Providing investment services: providing information and guidance on investment opportunities available in Egypt and facilitating communication with the National Bank of Egypt’s Investment Trustees Department.

The New York branch also contributes to strengthening economic and trade relations between the United States and Egypt by providing specialized banking services that meet the needs of companies and investors.