/IRBIS, June 1, 00/ - Reuters informs that Halyk bank of Kazakhstan started the project of electronic banking today. The bank opened 17 internet-saving offices in all largest regional centers.

"It is just a beginning, but it is an important start. This is all about globalization. Kazakhstan is the part of the world and it has to join the world's trends," said the prime-minister of Kazakhstan, Kasymzhomart Tokayev. The internet-saving offices are equipped by German firm Wincor Nixdorf at the expense of German banks for the sum of DM1.2 mln. The collateral has been given by "Germes" insurance company.

The clients of saving-offices can access Internet, open accounts in national or foreign currencies and manage deposits.

The head of Halyk bank of Kazakhstan, Karim Masimov, said that the bank holds 50% of deposits in the country. Among them 30% are currency and 70% are tenge denominated deposits. About 16.7 mln. accounts have been opened in the bank.

The head of Halyk Bank noted that the bank's target is to render full set of services to clients rather than to attract new ones. For those clients who familiar with Internet, it is the new way of depositing the money.