DUBAI: The Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry honoured 13 companies for their corporate social responsibility and sustainability practices during a recognition ceremony held at its premises on Sunday.
The Dubai Chamber CSR Label was presented for the first time to General Electric International Operations, NMC Trading, and two Emirati SMEs Dimara International and Index Holding, while Al Futtaim Carillion, CHEP Middle East and Drydocks World got it for the second time. Six Construct, Al Rostamani Pegel, Emirates District Cooling (Emicool), and HSBC Middle East have achieved it for the third year running, while Alpen Capital and Axiom Telecom received it for the fourth time.
Congratulating the honourees for their achievement, H.E. Hamad Buamim, President and CEO, Dubai Chamber, said: “Today we are delighted to be rewarding 13 companies, especially two Emirati SMEs who are receiving the CSR Label for the first time. Over the years, we have seen a growing interest in CSR and sustainability amongst SMEs and the number of SMEs that are applying for the CSR Label.
“Since its launch in 2010 by our Centre for Responsible Business, 151 CSR labels have been awarded. The Dubai Chamber CSR Label is a free diagnostic framework which has been developed to set clear and measurable standards for the business community. It helps companies assess their current CSR practices and further use the Framework to deepen CSR processes within the organisation. It is an important learning and development tool that helps companies regardless of their size and sector define and improve existing CSR strategies, policies and management practices” he said.
“It is also very encouraging to see the rising number of honourees, many of whom are coming back for the second, third and even fourth time to receive their due recognition for leading the field in CSR and sustainability. Looking forward, we are confident of leveraging our expertise in CSR and sustainability in the future while inspiring businesses to follow suit and help promote the concept of responsible business practice in the country,” added H.E. Buamim.
On their part, the honourees lauded the role of Dubai Chamber in promoting CSR and Sustainability and developing a framework that helps them to define and improve their corporate social responsibility and sustainability performance and also gives them the opportunity to enhance their reputation as leaders in achieving sustainability.
The CSR Label is open to all organisations, private or public, regardless of their size, sector or operations and can make a major difference to a company’s reputation, efficiency and productivity and its success depends on how the CSR objectives are set and communicated to all of their stakeholders.