Etisalat reaches out as key DSS Sponsor

Etisalat recently had its first major overhaul in its 30-year history, unveiling its new consumer-centric corporate identity, strategy and outlook that will carry the company into the new millennium.

The comprehensive 'Reach' transformation marks the first of Etisalat's two-phase corporate strategy that prepares the company for competition within the UAE and growth internationally by delivering on specific commitments to shareholders, customers, employees and society.

As a socially responsible corporation Etisalat will continuously aim to support different activities, supporting a number of festivals, conferences and other events and initiatives. In keeping with this corporate philosophy, Etisalat has stepped forward to be one of the key sponsors of this year's Dubai Summer Surprises (DSS).

Like Etisalat, one of its 13 key sponsors, DSS has also been improving lives and reaching beyond boundaries. And there is a definite synergy between Etisalat's new corporate ethos of "Reach" and the spectacular summer fiesta of DSS that brings together people from all over the world to Dubai.

Ghanim Al Marri, Deputy General Manager, Etisalat Dubai Region said: "We are pleased to sponsor DSS 2006, which looks to be an even bigger success than it has been in previous years. By associating Etisalat with such spectacular learning and entertainment options for young children and their families, we have gone a step further in reaching out to our customers. Our regular participation in UAE events underlines our commitment and support for all segments of our society."

He added that by becoming a key sponsor, Etisalat has further consolidated the growing partnership between DSS and large corporate entities to help strengthen Dubai's retail and tourism sectors during the summer season.

Ahmad Abdulkarim Julfar, CEO of Etisalat, said, "Etisalat has always provided the very best in technological capacity and infrastructure to the communities we operate in. In some cases, these rapid technology leaps have not been matched by similar accelerations in our service offerings and customer interactions, but we are now prepared to become consumer-driven rather than engineering-led."

Etisalat is the largest contributor, outside the oil sector, to development programmes undertaken by the Federal Government of the UAE, and is an award-winning socially responsible corporation that is actively involved in sports, social, educational and charity events and activities, and much more.

The ethos of the new Etisalat will be seen in all 14 markets within which the corporation currently operates. By undergoing a culture-shift at every level, Etisalat establishes itself as a truly global telecom operator, and is on track with its vision of soon being among the top 10 telecom operators in the world. Currently, Etisalat is ranked 138 among the Financial Times Top 500 Corporations, and the sixth largest Corporation in the Middle Eastern region by London-based magazine, The Middle East.

Etisalat is now looking to take up operations in markets in Asia, Africa and Europe, and this comes as part of the Corporation's vision to be one among the world's top 10 telecom operators in the future.