PM claims not to know the potential buyer of GBC; but observers rubbish his denial, saying ‘ask the ambassador’

Prime Minister Gaston Browne is claiming not to know the identity
of an alleged buyer for the Global Bank of Commerce (GBC).
 
Sources tell REAL News that a Chinese resident of the United Arab
Emirates has expressed an interest in purchasing the bank, which,
Browne admitted in Parliament on Thursday, is facing insolvency
and issues with its correspondent bank.
 
During the sitting, Opposition Leader Jamale Pringle sought to verify
whether negotiations for the sale of GBC are currently taking place
with this investor.

Browne, who is also the minister of finance, denied knowing who
the investor might be, but confirmed that there is at least one
prospective buyer.
 
However, he claims not to know whether the potential investor
meets the criteria for purchase or has the proper financial resources
to complete the sale.
 
The prime minister advised the leader of the Opposition that his
question was better put to the regulators – although they are
unlikely to reveal such privileged information.

Prime Minister Gaston Browne.
 
Meanwhile, observers tell REAL News they do not believe the prime
minister’s assertion that he does not know who the investor or
investors are.

Since he is the minister of finance and the head of government, they
insist that Browne, by now, would have had interactions with the
potential buyer, since the Government has some stake in the bank.

Others in the business sector claim that the Chinese investor – who
reportedly rents a particular property in Jolly Harbour – was
“introduced to the First Family by an ambassador who is well known
for his money connections in the Middle East.”