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Türkiye’s state-owned Ziraat Bank is preparing to expand its international footprint with new operations in Albania and Romania, General Manager Alpaslan Cakar said.
The bank is awaiting final approval to launch activities in Albania within this month and has already applied to establish a new bank in Romania, according to Cakar.
Cakar added that negotiations with the Romanian Central Bank have been ongoing for the past three months. The groundwork in Albania is complete, and the license is expected soon.
In addition to the Balkan expansion, Ziraat Bank is also looking into re-establishing its presence in Syria.
Cakar noted that the bank has already applied for operations in the country and is awaiting further progress. While details remain limited, the plan could result in either a new branch or the establishment of a full banking entity.
Ziraat Bank has suspended all its operations in Syria since 2011, when the civil war escalated.
Founded in 1863, Ziraat is Türkiye’s largest state-run bank, holding total assets of ₺6.7 trillion ($166.75) and reporting a net profit of ₺47 billion as of the end of March.
The bank provides a substantial share of financing nationwide, handling one in every five housing loans and foreign trade transactions in Türkiye.
The bank currently operates at 130 locations across 22 countries, with a particular focus on the Middle East, the Balkans, and Europe.
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