ISLAMABAD, Jan 31: The Zarai Taraqqiati Bank Ltd (ZTBL) is working to expand its outreach by disbursing Rs65 billion this year.

The fourth two-day conference of the bank’s zonal chiefs, which concluded here on Thursday, pledged to achieve Rs10bn target for the recovery of Special Asset Management (SAM) loans and a deposit base of Rs6bn.

While unveiling the bank’s future business strategy, ZTBL President Mansur Khan stressed upon the field functionaries to identify new borrowers and initiate commercially viable innovative products.

He said the bank must surpass the disbursement of Rs56bn and recovery of Rs63bn achieved last year.

“Every one must contribute through integrated efforts to achieve this year’s targets and revive the glorious past of bank when it played a pivotal role in agriculture sector,” Mr Khan observed while addressing the conference.

The conference reviewed the performance of the zones in respect of operations i.e. disbursement and recovery of past dues and deposit mobilisation.

Participants identified potential areas of investment to regain lost market share. They also divulged upon vitality of various schemes, development of new schemes and income generating activities which could help increasing agriculture sector’s contribution in GDP.

Mr Khan stressed upon quality and prudent lending, increased customer base, recovery of dues, elimination of corruption, and deposit mobilisation for bank’s financial sustainability to survive in competitive market environment where customers’ satisfaction and focus reigned supreme.

Increased focus on dairy and livestock, financing off-farm activities, induction of mobile trainee officers (MTO) will be ZTBL’s new initiatives for current year, he said.

ZTBL will enter into strategic partnership with Western Union on fund remittance this year while insurance of life and crop of farmers will be another priority area, the conference was informed.