First National Bank Mozambique (FNB) (www.FNB.co.mz) and National Aviation Services (NAS) (http://NAS.aero), the fastest growing aviation services provider in the emerging markets, recently inaugurated an exclusive, contemporary lounge at the International terminal of the Maputo International Airport. The FNB Lounge by Pearl Assist offers a modern, luxurious space providing guest with a comfortable environment to relax and unwind, have a meal or catch up on work before departing on their onward journey.

The FNB Lounge by Pearl Assist, was officially inaugurated by General João Martins de Abreu, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Institute for Civil Aviation of Mozambique, Emanuel Chavez, Chairman of Aeroportos de Moçambique (ADM) (www.Aeroportos.co.mz), Paulo Pereira, Deputy Director General of FNB Mozambique and David Henderson, Group Chief Commercial Officer, NAS.

Operated by NAS Pearl Assist, the FNB lounge is located on the first floor of the Maputo International Airport departures terminal and caters to Platinum and Black Card Limited customers of FNB and First Rand. Card holders can access the lounge by presenting a valid FNB or First Rand credit or debit card and international boarding pass.

The 250 square meter FNB lounge designed by NAS, incorporates world class design and state of the art entertainment facilities for the comfort of all guests. The lounge can seat 55 guests at full capacity. With a range of hot and cold food and drink options, free Wi-Fi, a business centre, a selection of reading material, shower facilities as well as a separate entertainment area for kids, the FNB Lounge is designed to be the ultimate in hospitality.

NAS currently operates 31 lounges across Africa, the Middle East and Asia, at major airports in countries like Kuwait, UAE, Egypt, Morocco and Rwanda.

Henderson said, “We are pleased to be partnering with FNB to open the first of its kind, contemporary lounge at Maputo International Airport. As we see an increase in foreign investments into the country, it is increasingly important to offer world class facilities to local as well as international travellers. With NAS’s expertise in lounge management, investment into resources and handpicked service teams, we are sure to offer FNB customers, as well as other guests the best in terms of comfort and luxury.”

Pereira assured that his institution is committed to surpassing the expectations of the industry while adapting continuously.

According to Pereira, lounge users will be assigned dedicated managers for assistance and will also receive individual cards with a custom chip and pin number to facilitate online payments. "We continue to study the Mozambican market and ask" how can we help you? ", in an effort to introduce more innovative products and solutions to the Mozambican market," he concluded.

The lounges of the FirstRand group (of which FNB Mozambique is part) are already present in countries such as Namibia, Zambia, Botswana and South Africa and are designed to be the best in hospitality.

The opening of the lounge, is part of the strategy of revitalizing and modernizing the services of the financial institution for its customers, as well as the new positioning of the company, with the motto "an out of the ordinary bank". This is the result of a new positioning of FNB Mozambique, aiming to offer greater comfort, convenience and excellence, becoming more and more like an innovative banking institution and always ready to create solutions that meet the needs of its clients.