The State Bank of India, SBI, the country's largest and oldest bank, is set to further expand its operations in the West Asia region. The bank has opened its two new branches in Saudi Arabia and in Qatar. Mr. Hemant Contractor, the Managing director of SBI said, the Indian banking sector plays a very important role for trade and finance in the Gulf region and the Middle East. It is worth to recalls that SBI has branches in Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Bahrain and Oman.