Pioneering Arabian Gulf companies were honored on Sunday night 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 recognized at the 5th Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Summit which takes place in Dubai until Thursday. The CSR Summit Awards program honors companies in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries for their outstanding, innovative and world-class corporate social responsibility projects and programs. During his keynote address at the opening of the CSR Summit at the JW Marriott Hotel, Dubai, Najeeb Al- Ali, executive director of the Dubai Center for Corporate Values, said 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 Kosta Petrov, conference manager of the CSR Summit. “Companies had to demonstrate leadership, sincerity, a commitment to incorporating ethical values and an ongoing 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 United Arab Emirates 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 Program 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 programs in place that show the respect they have for their employees and how much they value them,” commented Petrov. A CSR Leadership award was jointly won by Saudi Telecom and the National Commercial Bank, also of Saudi Arabia. “This award is particularly important as it includes the environment, sustainability, community partnerships, education and poverty alienation to name but a few,” Petrov said. “Despite the image sometimes portrayed of regional companies, more and more are demonstrating their leadership by advancing responsible corporate citizenship. “All of the companies honored and others who were entered for the awards are seeking practical solutions to contemporary problems related to globalization, sustainable development and corporate responsibility. These are all issues that go to the heart of the CSR Summit which aims to monitor, measure and guide a company's relationship with the community and the environment.” The awards ceremony took place at a Gala Dinner last night attended by hundreds of senior executives and professionals of corporate social responsibility from government, business and civil society from the region __
