Pioneering Arabian Gulf companies were honoured with good corporate citizenship awards for their enlightened policies on the community and the environment.

Saudi Arabian companies made up four out of the total of seven companies recognised at the fifth Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Summit held in Dubai.

The event concludes on June 19.

The CSR Summit Awards programme honours companies in the Gulf Co-operation Council countries for their outstanding, innovative and world-class corporate social responsibility projects and programmes.

During his keynote address at the opening of the CSR Summit executive director of the Dubai Centre for Corporate Values Najeeb Al Ali said that model CSR policies were being developed in the Middle East that integrate the best of international and local practices.

“This was clearly evident when reviewing this year’s entries for the CSR awards,” said conference manager of the CSR Summit Kosta Petrov.

“Companies had to demonstrate leadership, sincerity, a commitment to incorporating ethical values and an on-going respect for their employees, the environment and the communities in which they operate. In all respects those nominated were not found wanting,” he added.

The award for Environmental Excellence went to the pioneering UAE recycling and environmental waste management company Tadweer. “The company has integrated environmental performance into its sustainable development strategy and has delivered proven business benefits,” Petrov said.

The Best Community Programme award went to Vodafone Egypt for successfully implementing community projects that have led to better education, business growth and community engagement. Also highly commended in this category was Equate Petrochemical of Saudi Arabia.

The award for Best Workplace Practices went to the Middle East division of The Dow Chemicals Company with Saudi Arabia’s Savola Group highly commended. 

“Companies in this category have policies and programmes in place that show the respect they have for their employees and how much they value them,” commented Petrov.

Sponsors of the fifth CSR Summit are Etisalat, The Dow Chemical Company, Dubai Properties and Microsoft. Supporters of the Summit are CSR Middle East, Dubai Centre for Corporate Values, the UN Development Programme, Greater Good and Dubai Drums. – TradeArabia News Service