In a warm and spiritually uplifting Ramadan atmosphere, the New York Branch of the National Bank of Egypt (NBE) hosted its annual Iftar dinner, under the patronage of Mr. Khaled El-Ghorab, General Manager of NBE – New York.
The event brought together a distinguished group of invitees that included diplomatic and consular officials, leaders from the U.S. financial, investment and corporate sectors engaged in international business, as well as religious figures, public personalities, prominent business personalities, and representatives from American and Arab media.
Mr. Khaled El-Ghorab began the evening ceremony by delivering a welcoming speech, expressing his gratitude to the guests for joining the annual Iftar and marking the Silver Jubilee celebration of NBE’s presence in New York. He extended his appreciation to the bank’s senior management, organizers, and colleagues.
In his opening remarks, El-Ghorab stated:
“Today, we celebrate not only history but also legacy. Twenty-five years ago, we made a difficult and historic decision to establish the first and only Egyptian bank in the United States, here in the capital of the global economy. This step was essential to fulfilling a core vision and strengthening U.S.-Egypt economic partnership. From the outset, we went beyond traditional banking. We built bridges of trust and capital, created opportunities, and consistently supported trade, investment, and financing on a broad scale.”
He added: “Over the past quarter century, we have faced global crises, major transformations, market volatility, and numerous challenges. Yet, through strong leadership and strategic foresight, we successfully navigated these obstacles.
We take pride in our commitment to international standards, transparency, compliance, and institutional integrity. As the only Egyptian bank operating in the United States, this year is not only about celebrating our presence—it is about defining our future. The next chapter of our journey will focus on renewal, innovation, and strategic partnerships to expand financial solutions and strengthen cross-border business between Egypt and the United States. We remain committed to contributing to the American financial landscape while enhancing economic ties between our two nations.”
He concluded by inviting NBE’s partners in New York to renew their trust in the bank and in the U.S. regulatory institutions overseeing the banking sector.
Following his speech, Mr. El-Ghorab welcomed to the stage Ambassador Tamer El-Meligy, Consul General of Egypt in New York, who expressed his pride in participating in the celebration marking 25 years of NBE’s establishment in New York. He noted that the name “National Bank of Egypt” itself represents trust for every Egyptian and stated:
“This name has significantly contributed to the Egyptian economy, both domestically and internationally. It is a clear example of vision and capability. The decision taken 25 years ago to establish a presence in the world’s financial capital proved that we are capable of investing, delivering quality, and positioning ourselves among the major global banks operating in the United States.”
He also expressed his appreciation to Mr. Khaled El-Ghorab for his continuous support of the Egyptian community in New York and thanked the NBE Board of Directors and staff for their ongoing contributions both in Egypt and globally.
H.E. Ambassador Ihab Awad, the Permanent Representative of Egypt to the United Nations, also expressed his gratitude to NBE and its leadership for their consistent dedication to achieving the bank’s vision in New York over the years.
H.E. Awad stated:
“I had the honor of witnessing the early stages of many NBE projects and have seen firsthand the tremendous effort invested by its leadership and senior management. I am proud of the strong network of partnerships the bank has built within the U.S. banking and investment sectors, and its effective promotion of Egyptian investment opportunities and bilateral cooperation between Egypt and the United States.”
He expressed hope to attend the bank’s 50th anniversary celebration in the United States.
During the ceremony, Mr. Khaled El-Ghorab honored H.E. Ambassador Maged Abdel Fattah, Head of the League of Arab States Mission to the United Nations in New York, in recognition of his continued contributions to diplomatic work.
H.E. Ambassador Abdel Fattah thanked the bank’s management for the recognition and noted that this year would be his final year leading the Arab League Mission in New York. He shared plans for his post-retirement activities while affirming that he would continue attending NBE’s annual Iftar gatherings.
Mr. El-Ghorab also honored H.E. Ambassador Mohamed Idris, the Permanent Observer of the African Union to the United Nations, who described NBE’s journey as a true success story—not only for Egypt but for Africa as a whole.
H.E. Idris remarked:
“We have always spoken about success in our mission, and the National Bank of Egypt is living proof of that success. I have witnessed this project grow under Ambassador Maged Abdel Fattah’s leadership, and it fills me with pride to see how it has flourished. This achievement is the result of dedicated and sincere teamwork.”
He also shared a personal memory, recalling how, like many Egyptians, he once received an NBE certificate from his parents—a cherished symbol of trust and savings.
Mr. El-Ghorab further recognized several NBE – New York staff members for their dedication and contributions over the past five years.
Father Moses Baghdady of the Papal Residence in Cedar Grove, New Jersey, expressed his happiness in attending the annual gathering for 25 consecutive years, noting that he has witnessed the bank’s journey from its inception. He wished for the continued success and unity during the blessed period when Ramadan coincides with the Christian Lent.
Mahmoud Salem, Executive Director at BNY Mellon, expressed pride in attending the celebration, stating that bringing together bankers from Christian, Jewish, and Muslim backgrounds to celebrate such an achievement reflects the spirit of unity and diversity.
Fazan Siddiqui, General Manager of Mashreq Bank – New York, highlighted his strong professional relationship and ongoing cooperation with NBE.
Several international guests also attended, including trade finance leaders and senior executives from major global institutions.
The Ramadan Iftar was attended by distinguished diplomatic representatives and senior executives from major financial institutions including Citi, JPMorgan Chase, BNY Mellon, Barclays, HSBC, UBS, Goldman Sachs, BlackRock, ABC Bank, Sumitomo Trust, Mashreq Bank, NBK, GIB, Mizuho, Ernst & Young, ITFA, IIB, Vakif Bank, RSM, RGS, AML Partner, Protiviti, Cygnus, Mayer Brown, StoneX, EgyptAir, and many others.
The event reflected the spirit of Ramadan by promoting dialogue, unity, and strengthened ties between national institutions and the Egyptian community in the United States. Attendees emphasized the importance of such occasions in enhancing cooperation and highlighting NBE’s pivotal role in supporting economic relations and serving Egyptian and Arab clients abroad.
The evening concluded in an atmosphere of warmth and shared values, reaffirming the National Bank of Egypt’s continued commitment to community service and its leadership as a prominent Egyptian financial institution operating internationally.
