Najia: Our CSR awards in 2016...a source of motivation driving us towards greater achievements
Kuwait - Since inception, Kuwait International Bank (KIB) has been committed to an all-encompassing social responsibility philosophy, reflecting the Bank’s long-standing dedication to humanitarianism and corporate citizenship. However, it was the Bank’s transformation to a Sharia’a compliant bank in 2007 that ushered in a completely new era for its social responsibility program.
Given its position as a leading national financial institution, KIB has always believed that it has an important duty to fulfill towards its local community. In 2016, the Bank focused on implementing a comprehensive and integrated social responsibility strategy, covering a number of key areas, including: religion, humanitarianism, social programs, philanthropy, sports, environment, healthcare, nationalism, culture, and education.
According to Nawaf Najia, Manager of the Corporate Communications Unit, KIB remains committed to not only providing the best financial solutions, but also the best social initiatives and community programs that truly serve all segments of the community.
Religious initiatives
KIB is committed to organizing and supporting religious programs and initiatives, which seek to promote and strengthen Islamic values, principles and morals across society. According to Najia, this year KIB developed a comprehensive social responsibility program during the holy month of Ramadan, which led to it being honored by Al Manaber Al Quaraniya Society. The Bank’s program included the launch of a Ramadan campaign under the title “Al Dawli #Weyak” – highlighting KIB’s commitment to remaining close to both its customers and its employees. The Bank also focused on highlighting the key social values associated with Ramadan through its “Weyak” TV commercial. Najia further added that KIB is committed to reinforcing the values of generosity within the community, organizing daily Iftar meals and distributing food packages to families in need throughout the holy month.
KIB is also a strong advocate of teaching Quran to young generations, organizing a number of Quran recitation competitions for students and children of its employees. Additionally, KIB sought to celebrate the annual Haj season; visiting Haj delegations as well as customers who were set to embark on the holy pilgrimage to Mecca, gifting them the Bank’s annual Hajj and Umra Guide.
Students and youth
Speaking about KIB’s commitment to supporting youth and students, Najia said that the Bank supports countless youth-focused initiatives. Amongst its many efforts in this area in 2016, KIB offered its support to the Public Relations Club at Gulf University of Science and Technology (GUST), and sponsored a number of graduation projects developed by students from the College of Engineering and Petroleum at Kuwait University. In line with its commitment to support young national talents and university graduates in their professional development, KIB also participated in several job and student fairs. Additionally, KIB supported the “My Business” entrepreneurial program for students, organizing training programs for its participants which sought to introduce them to the banking sector in general, and the inner workings of Islamic banks specifically.
Promoting a culture of sports
As the saying goes “healthy mind, healthy body”, and KIB has always believed in the importance of promoting a culture of fitness and sports throughout society. Within this context, Najia noted that KIB invested significant efforts and resources in 2016 to help foster and support a number of local sporting talents. Within this context, the Bank sponsored the late Adullah Mishari Al-Roudan’s indoor football tournament during Ramadan for the fifth consecutive year, in addition to sponsoring the late Jassim Al-Sharhan Ramadan football tournament, the Flair Fitness Competition at GUST and the Pink Steps Ladies Walkathon organized by Cancer Aware Nation (CAN). KIB also focuses on promoting sports amongst its employees, encouraging its employees to participate in several national sports tournaments.
A healthier future for the community
As a strong advocate of healthy living, KIB is dedicated to promoting health consciousness and general well-being across all segments of the community in Kuwait. Najia said that the Bank adopts a holistic approach in supporting leading local healthcare organizations and initiatives. As part of its efforts in this area, KIB offered its strategic sponsorship to Al-Sidra Association for the Psychological Care of Cancer Patients and its silver sponsorship to the “Diabetes Challenge Trip,” organized by the Blue Circle volunteer group, in addition to sponsoring the Ahmadi School Program for Oral Health. Furthermore, KIB regularly hosts the Blood Bank’s mobile unit at its head offices, in an effort to encourage its staff to donate blood.
Supporting Kuwait’s champions
With a wealth of talent and creativity in Kuwait, KIB seeks to support and nurture talented individuals across all fields and sectors, enabling them to prosper and play an active role in building the country’s future. In 2016, KIB honored inventor Engineer Mubarak Taher, who received an international patent for his system, “The Dynamic Network for Oil & Gas Production”. The Bank also supported motorcycle champion, Nasser Al-Khadra, who took part in numerous local and international tournaments, and Jet Ski champion, Abdullah Al Fadel, who took part in the King’s Cup World Jet Ski Championship in Thailand. Furthermore, KIB sponsored the Kuwaiti showjumping team featuring jockeys Ghazi Al Juraei, Ahmad Al-Mudaheka, Abdullah Hamadah and Ahmad Al-Ansari, who competed internationally under the Bank’s name.
Fostering connections with children and the elderly
As part of the Bank’s all-encompassing social responsibility program, Najia noted that KIB devotes special attention to the elderly and children. Throughout the year, KIB seeks to celebrate special occasions with these two segments, organizing visits to special needs children and seniors, hospital patients, the Bank’s children’s account customers, children at the Kuwait Orphanage and residents of the Elderly Care Center.
National and social events
Najia also pointed out that KIB is committed to supporting activities that stimulate national and social development. In 2016, the Bank sponsored and supported a number of leading national social events, including: the Hala Ramadan Exhibition, supporting successful local youth initiatives; Light Expo, an event for young female entrepreneurs and small business projects; the 5th Tmkeen Youth Empowerment Symposium; Training Gate International’s special event commemorating the International Day of Persons with Disabilities; Safira CSR Company’s “Expand Your Successes: Common Factors of Successful Women” Conference; the Kuwait Corporate Social Responsibility Conference & Exhibition; the Fifth Arabian Social Media Exhibition; the 14th Fireman’s Day Carnival; the Ideal Mother Award for mothers with disabled children; and the United Gulf Traffic Week, which took place under the title “Your Decision Determines your Destiny”.
Demonstrating its pride in its national identity and heritage, KIB also focused heavily on supporting and sponsoring national events. To commemorate National and Liberation Days, KIB distributed special gifts to people born on February 25th and 26th.
Employees…partners in success
KIB believes that its employees are its greatest assets. From honoring its outstanding employees to maintaining a rolling calendar of training programs for staff, KIB dedicates a huge portion of its social responsibility program to its internal population. Within this vein, KIB sustains a full calendar of social events and programs throughout the year for its staff, including the Bank’s Ghabqa during the holy month of Ramadan.
Well-deserved recognition
Concluding his statement, Najia pointed out that the numerous prestigious national and international awards that KIB received in 2016 have served as a great source of motivation, driving the Bank towards greater achievements in the future.
KIB received the “Best Banking Vision” Award from CPI Financial, reaffirming the Bank’s leading position within the Islamic banking sector. KIB was also honored at the 15th ceremony recognizing excellence in labor nationalization policies in the private sector across the GCC. Furthermore, in recognition of its commitment to its corporate citizenship, KIB received the Corporate Social Responsibility Excellence Award from the Arab Organization for Corporate Social Responsibility, the Corporate Social Responsibility Award 2016 from Banker Middle East, and the “My Ambition Social Responsibility Award” at the “My Ambition Defeats My Disability” Conference, the latter in acknowledgement of its efforts to support the special needs community in Kuwait.
© Press Release 2017
