Alshaya encourages Kuwaiti businesses to take greater role in social responsibility

The first ever Kuwait Arabian Business Awards took place at the Sheraton Hotel, Kuwait City, on 12th March 2007 and recognized business excellence among some of the country's leading companies. The evening event was attended by many leading lights of the Kuwaiti business community.

In his key note speech, Mr. Mohammad Alshaya said that resilience was a national characteristic of Kuwait and its people, as it has continued on its path to economic prominence despite political and financial setbacks.

"Kuwait is a success story we have all helped to achieve. We have one of the highest GDP per capita figures in the region and the rest of the world, a growing economy and a growing presence on the GCC and world economic stages," he said.

"There is no doubt we have been lucky, having been blessed with enormous natural resources. Now, as an economic success, we hold huge responsibility for the societies in which we do business and our greatest responsibility is to the young people of the Middle East. They are our greatest asset."

"In the next two decades, our young people need our attention as they will need occupations, jobs, careers and security, not only to sustain their lives and their future families but also to further support the development of each economy in this region."

Mr Alshaya went on to highlight his deep appreciation of the many Kuwaiti companies who are determined to take their success to the world. But he also emphasized that with success comes greater responsibility:

"The MENA labour force will require 100 million new jobs by 2020, which is equivalent to doubling the current level of employment. It's a big task and it requires all of us to focus on expanding our businesses and provide jobs. But we also need to engage, encourage and excite our young people to work in the private sector, so that they can also contribute back to their own society."