Eduardo Visit

Barclays Group COO visits Botswana - 2008

Wednesday 8th October 2008

Barclays Bank Botswana (BBB) is pleased to host a visit by the Chief Operating Officer for Global Retail and Commercial Banking (GRCB) Mr Eduardo Eguren Linsen. Mr Linsen is responsible for technology, operations, human resources, strategy and planning and corporate affairs for the Barclays group.

Barclays places a lot of importance to the Botswana business and this visit reaffirms the bank’s confidence in this market. We are committed to the development of the financial services sector here, and to the general economic development of this country. We remain committed to extending banking services to the previously unbanked, as well as to serving our customers better.” said Mr Linsen. Mr Linsen will be accompanied by the Director of Operational Analytics, Roberto Muriago, Chief Operating Officer for Emerging Markets, Mr Lav Kataria and the Managing Director for Barclays Southern Africa region, Zafar Masud. Early this year, the GRCB Chief Executive, Frits Seegers visited Botswana to reaffirm Barclays commitment to Botswana. Whilst in Botswana, he met customers and other important stakeholders including Former President Festus Mogae, high level government officials and the Governor of the Central Bank.

For further information please contact:

Esther Norris
Head of Corporate Affairs
Tel: 395 7312
Mobile: 71526383
esther.norris@barclays.com

About Barclays Bank Botswana:

Barclays Bank Botswana is part of the Global Barclays Group and listed on the Botswana Stock Exchange. It is the largest bank in Botswana offering Retail banking, Commercial banking and credit cards with a market capitalisation of over 5 billion

Employing over 1300 permanent staff, Barclays Bank Botswana services customers across the country through a network of 101 ATMs and 52 outlets.

To find out more about Barclays Bank of Botswana / the Barclays Group and its products and services, please visit our website: www.barclays.com or visit any of our branches and speak to one of our consultants.

About Barclays Global Retail and Commercial Banking:

Barclays Global Retail and Commercial Banking (GRCB) encompasses all of Barclays retail and commercial banking businesses around the world. Operating in more than 50 countries and employing more than 118,000 people, Barclays GRCB comprises UK Retail Banking, Barclays Commercial Bank, Barclaycard, GRCB Western Europe, GRCB Emerging Markets and Absa (Barclays Bank PLC owns 58.8% of Absa Group Limited). Barclays GRCB serves millions of customers and clients around the globe through a network of more than 4,700 distribution points and more than 13,100 ATMs.

To find out more about the individual Barclays GRCB businesses, please visit our website: www.barclays.com.