Number one in 'Building a Nationally Competitive Workforce'

In top 20 for 'Responsible Competitiveness'

Riyadh, January 21st  2012 - Diverse, innovative and socially-responsible programmes have resulted in Rawabi Holding being number one in developing the most nationally competitive workforce in Saudi Arabia - and that's official.

Rawabi Holding secured top spot in the category of Building a Nationally Competitive Workforce in the prestigious King Khalid Award for Responsible Competitiveness in the Saudi Arabian Responsibility Competitiveness Index (SARCI). The SARCI is driven and organized by the Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority (SAGIA) with the support of the King Khalid Charitable Foundation.

In a second major accolade, Rawabi Holding was placed in the top 20 of 115 companies in the Kingdom for the King Khalid Award Responsible Competitiveness in the RCI, further tribute to the excellence of company's sweeping corporate social responsibility programmes.

Sheikh Abdul Aziz Al Turki, Group Chairman of Rawabi Holding, cited the importance of the role that the King Khalid Charitable Foundation plays in the community by facilitating the   prestigious awards.

"Rawabi has spared no efforts to provide help in the development of national programmes and in the advancement of sustainable development. Aiding and supporting the nation's youth is one of Rawabi's most prized characteristics. I thank the organizers of this award that fuelled the spirit of fair competition between the various national sectors."

The honours were handed out at the Sixth Annual Global Competitiveness Forum, an annual gathering of international business and political leaders, academics, intellectuals and selected media. The forum, held in Riyadh, was founded, and is sponsored, by the Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority (SAGIA) along with several national and international companies.

The highly-influential individuals are brought together to for widespread discussions concerning the positive impact organizational and national competitiveness can have on local, regional and international social development and well-being.

Forum sources said Rawabi Holding's ranking in the top 20 companies for the King Khalid Award for Responsible Competitiveness came as a result of what it offers in terms of "social responsibility and its utmost care for the human element" of employment.

Rawabi Holding is widely applauded for generating more jobs for nationals via the Saudization programmes and paying special attention to its female employment ratio, delegating 22 per cent of major positions to women.

Corporate social responsibility is pivotal to Rawabi Holding's core business practices and it was because of the various CSR programs that it offers that it was adjudged leading company in the Kingdom  for 'Building a Nationally Competitive Workforce'.

The company's socially-aware initiatives include the Rawabi Youth Empowerment Programme which invests in generating a positive social environment for Saudi Arabia's youth.

And Rawabi's Community Investment Programme supports local and international foundations and organizations in their contributions to community development in sectors including health, education, culture, employment skills training, technology, and much more, to boost quality of life in the Kingdom.

Rawabi's Corporate Community Service Programme encourages employees to volunteer to assist social organizations and charities at local and national level. These include campaigns for blood donors, raising environmental awareness such as 'Together to Save Jeddah', involvement in the Saudi Cancer Foundation Open Day for Children.

Sheikh Al Turki said: "The King Khalid Charitable Foundation strives to continue to walk in the footsteps of King Khalid and on his path of community service and social responsibility. This award creates a responsible, competitive culture that pushes companies to strive for more development and greater excellence."

Kim Al Sahhaf, Head of Competitiveness Initiatives at the Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority, added: "I am delighted at the progress and success that Rawabi Holding has achieved through its different social responsibility programmes and its uninterrupted input on community development."

Al Sahhaf wished Rawabi Holding continued success - with confidence.

-Ends-

About Rawabi Holding Company Limited
Three decades of providing a diversified range of products and services in the fields of oil, gas & petrochemicals, engineering & construction, power, telecom & IT, corrosion & industrial services, logistics and consumer products in Saudi Arabia and the Middle East has made Rawabi Holding a leading industrial player. Customer-focused Rawabi builds strategic partnerships with long term commitments to maintain a strong network of business relationships, working in a professional environment that combines technical expertise to provide the very best in quality products and services.

Rawabi Holding companies comprise of fully owned subsidiaries, partially owned companies and joint venture companies. With international partners from more than 25 countries and representing over 100 worldwide prominent companies, Rawabi Holding strives to provide its clients with a full array of services catering to their needs and exceeding their expectations.

For more information, please contact:
Ahmed Al-Hassani
Memac Ogilvy & Mather - Public Relations
Office: +966 2 6510704
Fax: +966 2 6533800
E-mail: rasha.fallah@ogilvy.com 

© Press Release 2012