Dubai Chamber’s largest sustainability conference brought together public and private sector stakeholders to discuss strategies for surviving and thriving sustainably.

Dubai, UAE: Businesses in the UAE must prioritise sustainability and make it an integral part of their strategies as they tackle new challenges and prepare for the post-pandemic recovery, industry experts said during the Dubai Dialogue 2020.

The annual conference, recently hosted virtually by Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry, examined several key sustainability and CSR trends and issues reshaping the global business landscape, as well as practical strategies and valuable insights shared by leading public and private sector organisations and stakeholders in the UAE.

Presentations and discussions during the event highlighted the business benefits of adopting sustainability as a strategy, tool and mechanism that can be used to ensure resiliency and competiveness, while boosting organisations’ triple bottom line of people, planet and profits.

During his opening remarks, Dr. Belaid Rettab, Chief Economist Senior Director, Economic Research & Sustainable Business Development Sector, Dubai Chamber, said Dubai Dialogue is the largest conference organised by Dubai Chamber dedicated to CSR and sustainability matters, describing it as an ideal platform for industry experts to share knowledge and best practices in this area.

This year’s Dubai Dialogue was of particular importance, he explained, as discussions delved into timely issues and new challenges created by Covid-19, as well as opportunities emerging in a changed business landscape.

Strong interest and participation in the conference reflects a growing awareness of the importance of CSR and sustainability in enhancing business strategies and fostering innovation, he said, adding that the Centre for Responsible Business – since its establishment in 2004 – has played a crucial role in promoting responsible business practices and offering guidance to companies.

Prof. Vijay Pereira, Associate Professor of Strategic and

International Business Khalifa University, UAE, noted that the business environment has changed in an unprecedented way and many of the successful conventional ways of doing things should be revised.

He highlighted the role technology is expected to play in the post-Covid-19 era, and stressed the importance of integrating employee health and well-being in future sustainability strategies.

For his part, Martin Bradley, Chief Financial Officer, Dulsco LLC, spoke about how sustainability helps businesses create value and benefit from competitive advantages, said more businesses should look at Covid-19 as an opportunity to drive organisational change and become more sustainable and responsible.

Ibrahim Al Zubi, Chief Sustainability Officer, Majid Al Futtaim elaborated on how Majid Al Futtaim successfully embedded net positive environment strategy as one of its core business objectives. He said sustainability is not a burden or a cost but rather a factor that can create new value for organisations.

Steve Burnell, Managing Director, School Transport Services, said it is more important than ever before for organisations to develop favourable people policies, responsible processes and sustainable products.

Business with a short-term view may face long-term challenges, he explained, adding that networking, communication and listening are also key to addressing environmental and social challenges.

For his part, Dr. Kamel Mellahi, Senior Manager at Dubai Chamber’s Centre for Responsible Business, said sustainability, business continuity and competitiveness are inextricably linked and must go hand in hand.

Sustainability, he noted, is more than just good business ethics but a key component of any resilient business model, and advised businesses to make and keep sustainability a top priority during Covid-19 and beyond.

source: dubaichambe

A Dubai Chamber survey showed that giving importance to employee health, safety, and wellbeing helped the business community in responding maturely to the crisis and ensuring business continuity.

Businesses in Dubai that prioritized corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives have been able to better respond to the COVID-19 crisis, as per a recent study carried out by Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s Centre for Responsible Business.

The survey, conducted in May and June 2020, showed that giving importance and adhering to institutional guidelines on employee health, safety and wellbeing, has helped the business community in responding maturely to the crisis and ensuring business continuity.

This study is a follow up to an in-depth report recently published by Dubai Chamber, entitled Corporate Social Responsibility in Dubai: Current Practices, Challenges and Future Opportunities, which revealed that more businesses now consistently engage in CSR initiatives that suit and align with their business strategies. 

Referring to recent CSR activities, respondents to the survey said they considered such efforts as an obligation or “the right thing to do” as opposed to viewing them as activities that help gain better reputation for the firm.

The study also showed that other factors such as digital preparedness, advanced IT infrastructure, and technically aware employees have helped Dubai businesses in ensuring a smooth transition to remote working structures.

However, with restrictions on face-to-face meetings and events, many surveyed organizations have stated that they quickly shifted employee volunteering activities to digital platforms, to explore new ways of creating social impact and giving back to the community.

Over 70% of surveyed organizations reported that the board of directors are involved with CSR initiatives, while 68% of respondents reported advanced CSR practices with employee volunteering.

Overall, 76% of responding Dubai companies were found to be engaged in CSR initiatives.

Findings in the comprehensive report show that “improving the community” was the top motivating factor behind CSR initiatives for 80% of companies, while “improve revenue” was the least motivational factor.

source: entrepreneur

Dubai Startup Hub has launched the fifth cycle of its Dubai Smartpreneur Competition that seeks submissions from startups offering solutions related to the Expo 2020 Dubai.

Dubai Startup Hub, the entrepreneurship arm of Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry, has launched the fifth cycle of its Dubai Smartpreneur Competition that seeks submissions from startups offering solutions related to the Expo 2020 Dubai sub-themes of Opportunity, Mobility and Sustainability.

Open to all entrepreneurs in the UAE and abroad, the competition gives founders an opportunity to become part of Dubai Government’s strategy to elevate the city into a global platform for innovative startups. This year’s edition is also in line with the vision of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to transform the emirate into one of the world’s smartest cities.

The Dubai Smartpreneur Competition awards the top three winners a combined total of AED150,000 in cash prizes, in addition to a startup support package, mentorship opportunities, access to overseas trade missions, and Dubai Chamber events and trainings.

To be eligible to participate, a startup company’s product or service must have launched no earlier than 2017 and either be based in, or operate in, the UAE. The startup needs to have a minimum viable product and applicants must be 21 years of age or older. Startups must submit their entries in English through the Dubai Startup Hub website by the February 26 deadline.

His Excellency Hisham Al Shirawi, 2nd Vice Chairman of Dubai Chamber, said in a statement that the annual competition has been one of Dubai Startup Hub’s most successful initiatives to date, which has supported Dubai Chamber’s comprehensive entrepreneurship strategy of empowering entrepreneurs and providing them with the knowledge and tools they need to thrive and grow.

More than 1,600 smart business ideas have been submitted over the last four cycles of the competition with an increasing number of international submissions, he said, reflecting Dubai’s status as a magnet from promising startups.

1. E. Al Shirawi added: “Startups are a key source of innovation in Dubai as they bring cutting-edge solutions to the market. By aligning this year’s competition with Expo 2020 Dubai, we are creating more opportunities and benefits for participating startups and positioning Dubai as innovation leader.”

This year’s edition of the competition was launched on Sunday at a ceremony attended by Dubai Chamber officials, previous competition winners and contestants, members of the local startup community, and representatives from Expo 2020 Dubai and DP World.

Following the submission deadline, entries will be evaluated and shortlisted with the selected candidates then qualifying for the training phase of the competition. The top 50 startups will also get to participate in a four-day bootcamp, and the top 10 startups will have the opportunity to exhibit at Expo 2020 Dubai to meet with potential investors and business partners. Winners will be announced at an awards ceremony in April 2020.

Last year’s winners included Denarii Cash, a mobile application helping overseas workers to send money claimed the first place prize, Arabee, a high specification platform providing an online multi-format Arabic language programme, and Xpence, a digital-only intelligent business bank account designed by entrepreneurs for entrepreneurs.

Dubai Chamber launched Dubai Startup Hub in 2016 as an online platform to connect startups, entrepreneurs, developers, venture capitalists and students, enabling them to learn about new opportunities and create new partnerships that stimulate economic growth.

souece: entrepreneur