Etisalat Group addresses World Responsible Economy Forum Lille

Bin Ali, who spoke last week at the World Responsible Economy Forum in Lille, France, debated the importance of long-term planning and sustainable development over prudent and informed strategies derived only at maximising the mutual benefit of all parties.

Bin Ali said: "In real estate you say location, location, location. At Etisalat we say 'people, people, people'. In our markets we require a significant talent pool of technical staff as well as leaders with a long-term vision and the capacity to deliver, and they must eventually be trained and groomed from within the markets we operate. This is why over the last three decades the Etisalat Group has made great efforts and invested in training and education to ensure we have the most talented employees from local markets that are capable of competing with the best in the world and providing the best services to our customers."

Etisalat's Senior Vice President was speaking in a panel session debating how companies should be valued on more than their stock price or financial performance. He discussed the importance of social investments and corporate responsibility programs in augmenting a corporation's valuation.

Bin Ali continued: "Although difficult to measure, the importance of social investments cannot be denied. The impact and contribution to a company's long-term success is clearly evident. This is why the Etisalat Group has consistently invested and supported good causes across its footprint, and why we commit to the long-term development of the nations in which we invest. We see this not simply as an injection of capital, but of a partnership in prosperity."

The World Forum, which was held from November 14-16, is a three-day, annual event which aims to advance the Responsible Economy through showcasing best practices adopted by SMEs and large corporations that exercise their activities responsibly, anywhere in the world, while setting the stage to promote their example.