It is indeed heartening to know that the First Women Bank Ltd has been making strides to prove itself as one of the successful banks in the public sector. The Bank is undertaking all forms of business of a banking company in a manner designed to meet the special needs of women and encouraging and assisting them in promoting trade, industry and practice of professions. The performance of the First Women Bank Ltd. during the first three years of the new century is commendable. I am sure the Bank will keep the same pace of progress with still better results in the years to come.

I hope the Bank will extend its out-reach programme to the rural areas and will introduce new products focusing on serving the poorest of the poor women.