Dutch bank ABN Amro has opened a branch in Shanghai to support its corporate clients in the region.

The bank has had a presence in mainland China since 2012, and in January it received the necessary regulatory approval to upgrade its representative office into a branch.

“With a branch we are able to offer our clients a broader range of services and products. It also marks a further step in our selective international growth ambition,” says Gerrit Zalm, chairman of the managing board.

“We are able to provide financing solutions to global clients in sectors such as commodity finance, shipping, oil and gas and offshore oil services,” adds Maureen Derooij, country executive Greater China, commenting on the importance of the country as the leading global consumer of energy and producer of commodities.

The Shanghai branch will be overseen by Jianglei (Arthur) Zou, who has been involved with the bank’s operations in China, and Shanghai in particular, since 2010.

ABN Amro’s other offices in the Asia Pacific region are based in Hong Kong, Singapore, Sydney and Tokyo.