On November 24, 2009, ICBC signed the "Cooperation Agreement" with The 16th Asian Games Organizing Committee (Guangzhou Asian Games Organizing Committee) (GAGOC) at the Guangzhou Asian Games Center for Sports Culture, and became the only banking partner of the Guangzhou 2010 Asian Games (GAG). ICBC will provide premier and matching services to GAG in funding and financial products. Mr. Xu Ruisheng, the Executive Deputy Secretary General of GAGOC and the Vice Mayor of Guangzhou, and Mr. Shi Gang, the President of ICBC Guangdong Branch attended the signing ceremony.
According to the agreement, ICBC as the only banking partner will provide commercial and investment banking products and services to GAGOC exclusively, with exclusive rights in the related advertising, propagandizing and marketing of banking products.
As introduced, ICBC will become the only bank commissioned to sell the Asian Games tickets. The tickets will be available to the public for purchase and collection through 400 ICBC outlets nationwide (nearly 300 in Guangdong, and over 100 outside Guangdong). ICBC is also the online payment service provider for Asian Games tickets purchased online through internet.
ICBC is also allowed to sell the GAG licensed products through its outlets nationwide, and is the only bank to sell the licensed products of precious metal. On top of these, ICBC will issue jointly with GAGOC nationwide the Asian Games Themed Cards. These cards have the features, function and services of normal bank cards.
Cardholders will be given a set of Asian Games commemorative cards and entitled to a range of preferential discount offered from ICBC discount merchants.
The Guangzhou 2010 Asian Games is another major international sporting event held in China after the Beijing Olympic Games, as stated by Mr. Shi Gang, the President of ICBC Guangdong Branch. Under the support from the Guangzhou municipal government and the meticulous preparation and organisation work of GAGOC, this Asian Games will undoubtedly be a grandeur sporting event of unprecedented scale, and will successfully draw the crowd from Asia and even the whole world to this beautiful land of promise in Southern China.
By becoming the only banking partner for this event, it confirms the recognition approval from all walks of life in the society on ICBC's banking and financial services, but the great responsibilities that lies within ICBC. ICBC will try its outmost best in providing all the related services and seize this opportunity to offer more comprehensive services, more innovative products with enhanced management in moving towards international advanced standard.
ICBC is the largest bank in the world in terms of market capitalization, deposit base, profitability and brand value. It has a solid base of premium customers, diversified service structure and strong innovation capability and market competitiveness. It is predominately a commercial bank with international operation crossing different markets and has maintained the leading position in most of the commercial banking business area within the country.
ICBC, with rich experience in servicing for grand scale events, supports the development of sports with passion and maintains a deep relationship with the sports community.
