April 2012
HSBC, one of the main sponsors for the official Earth Hour 2012 event in Qatar has been a long-term supporter of WWF's Earth Hour initiatives in the country. On 31 March all lights and non-essential appliances were switched off in all HSBC branches and offices for the hour between 8:30pm - 9:30pm.
"We have been part of Earth Hour activities for over 3 years in Qatar to demonstrate our involvement in environmentally friendly actions. Through these actions we are part of a global united community that wants to protect the planet and its resources. This year our senior managers participated in the global "I will if you will" campaign and through their pledges challenged employees and customers to become more aware of their own actions and habits," said Abdul Hakeem Mostafawi, CEO of HSBC in Qatar.
HSBC sees the Earth Hour campaign as an effective and symbolic way to raise awareness among employees, customers and the wider public of the continued importance of consuming global resources responsibly. HSBC offices, employees and customers across the globe took part in a variety of activities in support of this event that is known to unite people to protect the planet.
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HSBC in the MENA Region
HSBC is the largest and most widely represented international banking organisation in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), with a presence in 14 countries across the region. HSBC has operations in the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain, Kuwait, Jordan, Lebanon, Pakistan, Algeria and the Palestinian Autonomous Area. In Saudi Arabia, HSBC is a 40% shareholder of Saudi British Bank (SABB), and a 49% shareholder of HSBC Saudi Arabia for investment banking in the Kingdom. In Iraq, HSBC holds a majority shareholding in Dar Es Salaam Investment Bank. HSBC also maintains a representative office in Libya.
This presence, the widest reach of any bank in the region, comprises some 273 offices and around 12,000 employees. In the full year 2011, HSBC in the MENA region made a profit before tax of US $1,492 million.
Media enquiries to
Greta Madgwick,
Manager, Qatar Communications,
HSBC Bank Middle East Limited
+974 44254224
greta.madgwick@hsbc.com
© Press Release 2012
