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Jun 22 2005

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Batelco Celebrates 4,375 Years Of Service

Batelco management and employees gathered at Bahrain's Crowne Plaza Hotel to celebrate the company's annual Long Service Awards presentation. Batelco Chief Executive, Peter Kaliaropoulos, presented 330 employees with awards for service ranging from 5 years to 35 years with Bahrain's national telecommunications company.

The awardees included two employees, Sadiq Khayat and Salah Tarradah, who have worked at Batelco for more than 35 years and eleven women employees who have served for more than 25 years each.

"Over the years, I've seen Batelco transform from a small local telephone company into a major global telecommunications provider," says Salah Tarradah, General Manager - Information Systems and Business Assurance at Batelco. "The change has been phenomenal and I feel very proud of what Batelco has become during these 35 years."

"We have become a truly international company that able to offer our customers a comprehensive range of world-class products and services and connect them in ways that were unforeseeable three decades ago."

Peter Kaliaropoulos - Batelco's new Chief Executive - hailed all 330 of the company's the long serving employees and presented them with certificates of appreciation and prizes followed by lunch.

"Batelco has recently entered a new era in the history of Bahrain's telecommunications market," explains Peter. "Much has changed and the new, vibrant, dynamic customer-focused company is virtually unrecognisable from the Batelco of old. This group of employees has seen Batelco through that transformation."

"The knowledge, experience and skills which you have gained during the years you've spent at Batelco are extremely valuable to our company," said Peter, as he addressed the gathering. "I know that each and every one of you has made a significant contribution to Batelco's success and I am deeply grateful to you for that. You rightfully deserve - and have - the highest respect from your colleagues and from the company's Board of Directors and senior management."

"The people in this room here today represent Batelco's most important assets: our people. You are what make the difference to our customers, you are the 'face' of Batelco and you have the ability to turn challenge into opportunity and success," continued Peter.

Shaikh Ahmed Bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, General Manager - Human Resources also made a short speech before joining Peter in presenting the employees with their Long Service Awards.

"Batelco is extremely fortunate to have so many loyal and dedicated employees - 4375 years is a lot of combined experience and Batelco's customers benefit from that experience every day," said Shaikh Ahmed.

"It is true that Batelco's unique market knowledge and understanding of our customers' needs is what gives us the advantage in our current market conditions. Our workforce is more than 95% Bahraini and - as everyone can see here today - we have a wealth of experience to utilize to our customers' benefit. Thank you all for your loyalty, dedication and hard work."

Based on today's Long Service Awards, Batelco's aim to train and retain employees is proving hugely successful. The company invests a significant amount of money - BD1.5 million in 2004, alone - in employee training as well as offering competitive salaries and a generous company benefits package that includes savings schemes, healthcare cover, housing, Haj leave, and family support.

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