Dubai Chamber to host business-led conference on CSR

The Conference will see participation from CSR Europe, Business in the Community, UK (BITC), Ministry Officials, members of Dubai pillar industries and leadership organizations including the Executive Council.

Organized by the Dubai Chambers Center for Responsible Business (CRB), the Conference's main goal is to galvanize a vision and action plan for CSR in Dubai that is developed for and led by the Dubai business community. The Conference will focus on the value of responsible business and highlights successful models for business collaboration, inspires and engages participants by providing a platform for senior-level dialogue during its morning and afternoon sessions. The conference will initiate industry collaborations on CSR issues.

Resulting from one of Dubai Chamber's strategic objectives which is creating a favorable business environment, the conference adds CSR as a new dimension in tackling recent economic turmoil. CSR is portrayed to be crucial for business survival and a major strategic source of competitiveness

On the role of Dubai Chamber in responsible business, Dr Belaid Rettab, Senior Executive Director, Economic Research and Sustainable Business Development at Dubai Chamber, says:

"As Dubai companies grow further into their roles as global leaders in key industries, they will benefit from the cost savings, transparency, consumer confidence, access to new markets, and positive reputational appeal to talented workers and investors that can be achieved by imbedding CSR into business practices."

Having Dubai Chamber Business Groups as co-partners, the second-session of the Conference will feature an open-door dialogue with CEOs /MDs/national leaders, where potential collaborations over 2009 and 2010 will be introduced and discussed.

Over the next year, the CRB will identify the key issues for the participants, review existing international best practice examples and develop CSR tools for Dubai companies.