Tecom Investments presents inaugural Pearl Awards to outstanding business partners

The Chairman's Award recognizing an organization in Tecom clusters that has enhanced and contributed to the cultural and artistic environment in the United Arab Emirates, as well a Special Recognition Award for the most significant contribution towards the UAE culture and heritage, were also presented as part of the Pearl Awards.

The Tecom Investments Pearl Awards were instituted in line with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to transform Dubai into a knowledge-based economy.

The Pearl Awards aim to instill a tradition of organizational excellence within Tecom's nine business clusters, even while showcasing Dubai as a destination for leading corporations that adopt global best practices as a fundamental business culture.

Abdullatif Almulla, Group CEO, Tecom Investments, Dr. Amina Alrustamani, CEO, Tecom Business Parks, and the Executive Directors of all nine business parks, attended the gala awards ceremony at the Dubai Knowledge Village Auditorium. Senior government officials, leading regional and international corporate houses as well as a number of business partners were also present for the inaugural edition of the awards.

The Emirates Youth Symphony Orchestra was honoured with the Chairman's Award while the Special Award was presented to Mohammed Saeed Hareb, creator of Freej, the Middle East's most popular animation series.

The winners also included Oman Insurance Company for CSR Achievement of the Year, Marketboomer Middle East FZ LLC for Innovation of the Year; 3i Infotech FZ LLC as Employer of Choice, and Innovative HR Solutions FZ LLC the Fastest Growing Company of the Year. While Metadata was recognized for Customer Service, Mastercard Worldwide took away the honours in the Globalisation and Diversification category. The British University in Dubai for Contribution to UAE Society, Ivan Fernandes - DUCONT FZ LLC as Entrepreneur of the Year, and Bayt.com as Company of the Year. BPA Worldwide was acknowledged for Maximum Suggestions made through 'VOICE IT'.

Abdullatif Almulla said:

"The Tecom Investments Pearl Awards seek to instill a greater sense of responsibility among our Business Partners in aiming for internationally recognized business standards. We launched the Pearl Awards primarily to recognise high-performing organizations as a significant part of our strategy to promote cluster-wide excellence."

Commenting on the awards, Dr. Amina Alrustamani said: "As an organization that prioritizes the importance of international best practices, Tecom Investments is proud to acknowledge and honour organizations that constantly endeavor to remain pioneers in their respective sectors. Through the annual Pearl Awards, we seek to reiterate our keenness to further promote global standards that have remained the hallmarks of excellence within the Tecom business parks.

"We congratulate the award winners in all categories and encourage them to set new benchmarks within their own organizations, spearheading Tecom as the destination that hosts not only world leaders but continuously supports Dubai's drive for a knowledge-based economy."

Launched in 2008, the Pearl Awards invited the participation of all licensed Business Partners that have been operating for at least 12 months within Tecom Investments' free zones, including Dubai Internet City, Dubai Media City, Dubai Knowledge Village, Dubai International Academic City, eHosting DataFort, International Media Production Zone, Dubai Outsource Zone, Dubai Studio City, DuBiotech and ENPARK.

The submissions were evaluated by third party assessors, who passed their recommendations on to a panel of jury for the final selection of award winners.