HSBC will be sponsoring the first International Conference for Special Needs Dubai 2007 to be held under the patronage of Shaikh Juma bin Maktoum Al Maktoum.

It is part of the bank's commitment to support people with special needs and promote diversity, said a HSBC official.

"At HSBC, diversity is not just a policy - it is a key driver to our success. We honour diversity within our organisation by building an inclusive work environment and by embracing proactive diversity supplier policies. As the world's local bank, we recognise and appreciate the unique contributions that each employee, supplier, and customer brings to our business success," said head of regional communications, HSBC Bank Middle East Limited, and the chairperson of the HSBC in the Community Foundation Kaltham Al Koheji.

HSBC had announced earlier a strategic partnership with Takamul, the Government of Dubai's Special Needs initiative to develop the Equal Opportunity Project which aims to enable and empower all persons with special needs, making them fully participatory members of society.

As an equal opportunity employer the bank is offering employment opportunities in its workforce in the UAE and the Middle Eastern region for people with special needs.- TradeArabia News Service