SHB Chairman Đỗ Quang Hiển receives a Barcelona’s jersey No 77 from Xavier Asensi, FC Barcelona Asia Pacific managing director. – Photo countersy of SHB

HA NOI(VNS) – A strategic partnership agreement between the Saigon-Hanoi Commercial Joint Stock Bank (SHB) and Barcelona FC (FCB) is expected to bring more benefits to both sides in the future.

The deal, which was inked on Tuesday in Hà Nội, is believed to be a new milestone in the development of the two parties in Việt Nam and across the world.

Following the signing of the agreement, SHB became the first and only banking partner of FCB in Việt Nam, Laos and Cambodia.

The renowned Barcelona team, for the first time in history, have decided to cooperate with a financial institution in Indochina. Through SHB, FCB will have the opportunity to develop and promote its brand to more than 90 million Vietnamese.

“We are so happy to have SHB as our first ever banking partner in Việt Nam, Laos and Cambodia. SHB is young and taking a leading role in the industry, while Barcelona is deep-rooted and has been successful in defending its glory. I do believe the collaboration between these two different yet similar entities will create huge buzz and synergy,” Xavier Asensi, FCB Asia Pacific’s managing director, said.

FCB Vice President Manel Arroyo said the signing of this new regional sponsorship deal reaffirmed their interest in increasing the team’s presence in Asia. It also reflected how the club was gaining notable levels of notoriety in this strategic zone, which encouraged them to continue enhancing their presence in the region.

“SHB is proud to be the first and only partner bank of FC Barcelona in Việt Nam, Laos and Cambodia. This is not just a business opportunity for SHB; it will benefit a large number of football fans, in particular, and sports fans, in general,” SHB Chairman Đỗ Quang Hiển said.

FCB are now a leading club in the world. They currently own 23 La Liga titles, 27 Copas Del Rey, 11 national Super Cups and two Spain League Cups.

In the international arena, FCB have also grabbed 19 trophies, including the UEFA Champions League and Clubs World Cup.

SHB, which ranks amongst the top five private commercial banks in the country, is currently the main sponsor of SHB Đà Nẵng FC.

In 2014, SHB became the only banking strategic partner of Manchester City in Việt Nam, which invited and sponsored European giant Manchester City Hà Nội last July. -- VNS