Dubai Municipality honors aswaaq

Dubai, August 24th 2009:  aswaaq has been awarded the best Dubai Municipality Customer Award for implementing food safety and control procedures. The award was handed to aswaaq's CEO, Mr. Abdul Basset Al Janahi by Salem bin Mismar, the assistant director general of the municipality's Health, Safety and Environment Department in Dubai Municipality and Director of Food Control Department Khalid Sherif.

Commenting on the award, Abdul Basset Al Janahi, Board member and CEO said:

"We are thrilled to have won the Dubai Municipality Customer Award. This award highlights our commitment to food safety excellence in all areas. It is in part due to the dedication of our staff who have undergone extensive training and helped ensure that aswaaq becomes and maintains the best possible food and safety standards."

The internally developed health and safety program is in line with aswaaq's vision to provide an excellent training program for all its employees. It was conducted once a week on Tuesdays at aswaaq's training center in Nadd Al Hamar by Nahla El Awad, the section head of Food Hygiene at aswaaq.

"Food hygiene has always been a priority at aswaaq. These days, with an increased number of food poisoning cases in the UAE, it is absolutely imperative that aswaaq retains the highest levels of food safety across all of its branches. As the majority of our employees are in constant contact with fresh food it is essential they are qualified and trained in all aspects of food safety," commented Ms. Ebtesam Al Khaja, Food Hygiene manager at aswaaq

To congratulate aswaaq staff who had completed the training, employees were awarded certificates at Al Mizhar branch. The accredited certificates by Dubai Muncipality were handed to the employees by Mr. Abdul Basset Al Janahi, Board Member and CEO of aswaaq.

Most recently, the company became the first retailer throughout the whole GCC to be certified with the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) at its Nadd Al Hamar and Al Mizhar branch. aswaaq is working towards obtaining the certificate for its upcoming locations. The certification was issued in recognition of aswaaq's approach to ensuring that health, quality and safety measures are in place and meet international standards. Health and safety training is now mandatory at aswaaq and is accredited by the Dubai Municipality.

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About aswaaq
"aswaaq" is an LLC company owned by Dubai government. The "aswaaq" project is a new, innovative concept in the world of shopping and retail, based on small, medium and large-sized shopping centres strategically located at the heart of residential areas. These centres will have lively "aswaaq" supermarkets at their heart complemented by retail shops and will soon become available in all bustling and populated areas of the UAE, providing a wide range of products that meet the requirements of all shoppers regardless of their nationality or age.

Most recently, aswaaq has announced that its supermarket in Nad Al Hamar has been awarded the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) certification only after four months of its opening. The supermarket was awarded HACCP for its approach to food safety, food handling, storage, processing and display of food items, and is now recognized as the first supermarket in the GCC to receive the HACCP certification.

The "aswaaq" shopping experience is uniquely defined by the high-quality tailor-made assortments and fresh products offered at fair prices with friendly, consistent and efficient customer service. "aswaaq" is particularly proud of the values upon which it bases its practices, respecting its clientele's freedom of choice, focusing on applying the best international practices, not to mention contributing to the pioneering task of institutions supporting medium-sized and small projects in the UAE. By becoming a major source of products, goods and services, "aswaaq" will play a vital role in local neighbourhoods; providing investment opportunities for UAE entrepreneurs, as well as creating job prospects. Moreover, it will also provide UAE nationals with the opportunity to become major importers and suppliers.

"aswaaq" will also give back to society by setting aside a certain percentage of the net profit for social and community services.

For further information, please contact:
Hind Al Falasi
Relations Manager - aswaaq
Direct: +971 4 4234030
Email: hind.alfalasi@aswaaq.ae

Maan Dalghan
PR Account Manager - O2 Public Relations
Mobile: +971 0504735351   
Phone: +971 43122777 
Fax: +971 43122788
Email: maan.d@o2pr.net

© Press Release 2009