Seeing is believing - exclusive art exhibition opening for Standard Chartered VIP customers

The event marked the opening of the exhibition, which runs from 21 April to 30 April 2006.

"The Seeing is Believing art exhibition opening was a great opportunity for our valued Priority Banking customers to meet our senior management and view some great works of art by internationally acclaimed artists," said Owen Belman, Consumer Banking Head of Standard Chartered UAE.

The private Seeing is Believing viewing at the Bagash Art Gallery launched celebrity Indian artist M F Husain's latest works titled 'Al Arab'. The first three of the one hundred paintings dedicated to the Arab world were unveiled by Husain himself that was attended by Mr Mohd Al Murr, Chairman of Dubai Cultural Council, Govt of Dubai along with other senior members of the Cultural Council, UAE artist Dr. Najat Maki, Standard Chartered Bank Priority Banking customers, senior bank management and other VIP invitees.

"This event was also a chance to support a very worthy cause, as we've chosen to donate 10% of the sales proceeds from this exhibition to our global corporate social responsibility initiative, Seeing is Believing," stated Mr Belman.

In 2003 the Standard Chartered Bank set the target of restoring the sight of 1 million people by the end of 2006, as part of their Seeing is Believing global corporate social responsibility initiative.

"Our people have become passionately committed to the 'Seeing is Believing' cause since the program was launched," continued Mr Belman, "and we pride ourselves in taking every opportunity to raise awareness for the initiative both in the corporate world and at a personal level.

"The exclusive 'Seeing is Believing' art exhibition opening was a key opportunity for us to share the message with our Priority Banking customers in a creative and social environment." said Haroon Mahmood, Head of Wealth Management at Standard Chartered Bank.

The Seeing is Believing art exhibition, at Bagash Gallery in Bur Dubai, will be open to the public from 21 April 30 to April 2006. The range of international artists exhibiting includes Indian artists, Maqbool Fida Hussain, Satish Gujral, S.H.Raza, Laxma Goud and T.Vaikuntam; Senaka (Sri Lanka), Bui Van Hoan, Le Thanh Son, Thanh Chuong, Nguyen Thanh Binh and Chatchawan Rodklongtan (Thailand and Vietnam); Ajmal Hussain (Pakistan) along with UAE artists Dr. Najat Maki, and Abdu Rahim Salem.

Standard Chartered Bank's Priority Banking Service provides unrivalled service to high net worth individuals. Offering a host of exclusive services including a dedicated relationship manager for each customer, preferential pricing and extensive privileges from health club discounts to travel benefits, the Priority Banking service aims to extend the premium lifestyle of its customers to their banking experience.