Dubai, May Wednesday 7th, 2003 Habib Bank AG Zurich (HBZ), one of the leading international banks operating in the United Arab Emirates received The Sheikh Khalifa Excellence Award for the finance sector at a glittering ceremony held at Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry on April 29, 2003. The award was received by Mr. Arif Lakhani, CEO of Habib Bank AG Zurich.
 
Organizations in the country should adopt the latest form of quality to be more qualified to face the challenges posed by globalisation, economic openness, communications and information revolution, urged Dr. Sheikh Sultan Bin Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Executive Council Member, Chairman of H.H. Crown Prince’s Court, and Honorary Chairman of Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce & Industry.
 
“Total Quality Management plays a crucial role at Habib Bank AG Zurich in terms of the people we train to service our customers and the innovative technology we implement,” according to Mr. Arif Lakhani, CEO of Habib Bank AG Zurich.
 
Commenting on the importance of quality after receiving the 2003 Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Excellence Award for the finance sector, Mr. Lakhani also outlined some of the concrete steps that an organisation can take to promote a culture of quality.
 
"With products, services and information becoming increasingly homogenous, it will be even more important for organisations to streamline their management procedures and operations, if they are to remain competitive in the increasingly global economy.  HBZ are proud to be one of the first banks in the country to have successfully completed Emiratisation well before statutory requirements. This process was implemented to ensure quality service is offered to all customers at every point they interact with the bank." he said.
 
About the Sheikh Khalifa Excellence Award, he said that every organisation that takes part is a winner because the objective feedback received by the participants point out specific strengths and weakness, in order to encourage continuous improvement.
 
"For Habib Bank AG Zurich, this achievement against stiff competition is due to the commitment and dedication of the staff at HBZ. It is also a reflection of the strength we gain from the support of our valued customers," said Mr. Lakhani. HBZ has also won the Dubai Quality Award in 2002 and the inaugural Middle East Banker Awards 2001 for technology innovation.
 
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 About Habib Bank AG Zurich
Habib Bank AG Zurich was established in 1967 on a solid foundation of banking tradition that spans several generations. Traditional banking values set in the context of international banking has determined Habib Bank AG Zurich’s corporate philosophy - "Service with Security" - for over 35 years in operation. Providing trade finance, corporate, consumer, private, retail and correspondent banking products, the bank offers highly personalized service to its customers through its international network of over 30 branches and online at http://www.habibbank.com
 
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© Press Release 2003