The awards give merit to Qalaa's integration of sustainability within its corporate governance framework and recognize the company's innovative investment approach that places environmental principles at its heart
Qalaa Holdings (CCAP.CA on the Egyptian Exchange), an African leader in infrastructure and industry, has received international recognition for its sustainability program as it prepares to file its first annual sustainability report as a member of the U.N. Global Compact (UNGC).
World Finance magazine has recognized Qalaa's governance framework as the best in Egypt in its 2015 corporate governance awards program, while Corporate Live Wire has recognized Qalaa's innovation by awarding it the Most Outstanding Investment Firm - Egypt Innovation & Excellence Awards for 2015.
Qalaa Holdings' active participation in the UNGC -- the world's largest voluntary corporate social responsibility initiative -- and its membership to the Global Impact Investing Network (GIIN) -- a non-profit organization dedicated to increasing the effectiveness of for profit investing that addresses social and environmental challenges -- provide the company with the necessary frameworks to deliver on its sustainability strategy, and make a lasting impact on the communities in which it does business.
"We have made the principles of sustainability, inclusivity, stewardship and innovation central to our growth as an institution from the time we were incorporated as a two-person partnership a decade ago all the way through to where we stand today: A publicly traded company with operations in infrastructure and industry across North and East Africa," said Qalaa Chairman and Founder Ahmed Heikal.
"Within this, two themes have long been close to our heart as we have sought to leave the communities in which we do business better than we found them: A steadfast belief in the transformative power of education -- and the conviction that you can do right by the environment even as you do right by your shareholders," Heikal noted.
Qalaa, which will be on stage at Egyptian Exchange Sustainability Conference, operates the largest private-sector scholarship program in Egypt and has worked for a decade to put environmental principles at the heart of investments including Egyptian Refining Company (which will cut the nation's sulfur emissions by nearly a third), Tawazon (a waste management company that recycles and turns waste into energy) and Nile Logistics (which is relieving pressure on Egypt's roads and highways by using more fuel efficient byways on the Nile River).
"These important recognitions come as we prepare to submit our first Global Compact 'communication on progress'," noted Ghada Hammouda, Qalaa's CMO and Head of Marketing Communications. "Principles of sustainability, good citizenship, good governance and responsible investing have been at the heart of our business model since inception, facts reflected in our business strategy and in our inclusion in the S&P / EGX ESG Index."
--Ends--
Qalaa Holdings (CCAP.CA on the Egyptian Stock Exchange) is an African leader in infrastructure and industry. Formerly known as Citadel Capital, Qalaa Holdings controls subsidiaries in core industries including Energy, Cement, Transportation & Logistics, and Mining. To learn more, please visit qalaaholdings.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
Statements contained in this News Release that are not historical facts are based on current expectations, estimates, projections, opinions and beliefs of Qalaa Holdings. Such statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, and undue reliance should not be placed thereon. Certain information contained herein constitutes "targets" or "forward-looking statements," which can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "may," "will," "seek," "should," "expect," "anticipate," "project," "estimate," "intend," "continue" or "believe" or the negatives thereof or other variations thereon or comparable terminology. Actual events or results or the actual performance of Citadel Capital may differ materially from those reflected or contemplated in such targets or forward-looking statements. The performance of Qalaa Holdings is subject to risks and uncertainties.
Ms. Araxi Keoshgerian
Senior Account Manager
SAHARA Communications
araxi@saharagcc.com
Mobile: +00971 050 4957461
For more information, please contact:
Ms. Ghada Hammouda
CMO & Head of Marketing Communications
Qalaa Holdings
ghammouda@qalaaholdings.com
Tel: +20 2 2791-4439
Fax: +20 22 791-4448
Mobile: +20 106 662-0002
Twitter: @qalaaholdings
© Press Release 2015
