Mumbai: India''s second largest bank and the country biggest private sector lender ICICI Bank, has opened a branch in Doha, Qatar.

This is the bank''s 18th branch outside India, K V Kamath, managing director and chief executive, told reporters.

With the opening of its branch at the Qatar Financial Centre on May4, ICICI becomes the first Indian bank to do so.

The bank has a strong presence in the Gulf region with a representative office in Dubai, started in October 2003, and a wealth management branch at the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), set up in December 2005, Kamath said.

ICICI commenced operations at its Bahrain offshore banking unit in October 2004, with special permission from the Bahrain Monetary Agency to provide NRI banking services.

Bahrain, Kamath said, is a money-spinner for ICICI Bank, accounting for 22 per cent of its income from international operations. ICICI bank has $4-4.5 billion in assets in Bahrain.

The bank''s overseas operations now account for 18 per cent of its global balance sheet, a figure that should go up to 25 per cent over the next few years.

The bank is targeting non-resident Indians (NRIs) and Indian businesses. The licence given by the QFC is a Category 4 one but allows for credit facilities and investments.