June 16, 2009 (WAM) - Etisalat was today awarded the Middle East Business Global Competitiveness Excellence award which honors organizations that have helped the public and private sector achieve the highest standards of innovation, service and competence which leads to global excellence. "When we looked at the market and sought out the companies that are able to compete in terms of global standards, it was easy to recognize Etisalat as a leader. It is a company of huge stature - both in terms of its size, and in the size of the business it handles. Etisalat is the company that bridges the region to the rest of the world," said Ali Al Kamel, Chairman - Middle East Excellence Awards Institute. The award was presented to Nasser bin Obood, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer for Etisalat, at the 3rd Government Organizations '&' Leaders Global Competitiveness Strategy Conference organized by Datamatix.

According to Etisalat's Chief Corporate Affairs Officer, Nasser Bin Obood, "This award is a true recognition for Etisalat's contribution towards enhancing the technology infrastructure of government departments and the private sector by providing world class solutions to increase productivity and meet customer needs. The UAE has taken the lead in providing services online and is driving the benchmark for the delivery in public services in the region and Etisalat is playing a key role as a technology partner in such initiatives to help accelerate the country's transformation towards a knowledge based society." "Government departments and businesses today are faced increasing pressure to justify investments and look for innovative ways to increase efficiencies and reduce costs. In such an environment, Etisalat with its end-to-end managed telecom and ICT solutions has consistently raised the benchmark on providing world class technology solutions with our partnership based approach, said Abdulla Hashim, VP, Business Solutions, Etisalat. "This award is testimony to the dedication of every Etisalat employee who embodies our mission of extending people's reach through access to relevant services and technologies.

Etisalat has been collaborating with various Ministries to support their endeavour to provide world class customer service. Recently, Etisalat announced initiatives with the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Health for contact centre services to improve the overall standards of customer service, in line with the best global practices.