Bank Executives Plant 50 UAE National Trees to Symbolize 50 Years in Business
Initiative supports Year of Giving inaugurated by UAE President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan
Dubai, 26 April 2017: Mashreq Bank, the oldest privately owned bank in the UAE, is celebrating its 50 year anniversary alongside the local community. In association with Goumbook, the leading social enterprise promoting sustainability in the UAE, senior executives from the bank planted 50 national trees to mark its 50 years of being in banking.
HE Abdul Aziz Al Ghurair, Chief Executive Officer of Mashreq Bank, said: “Celebrating our 50 year anniversary is a recognition of our history and achievements to date. As the oldest bank in the UAE, we have been here since the beginning, and have seen the country rapidly develop. Similar to the UAE’s own evolution, the development of Mashreq Bank has also been truly remarkable. To express our pride in being a homegrown bank, we are celebrating our 50 year anniversary by giving back to the community that has been supportive to enabling our success. With 50 years of success behind us, we are excited about the future and the important role we will continue to play in contributing to the development of the UAE.”
Capable of growing in even the harshest desert climate, the Ghaf tree is the UAE’s national tree and is a symbol of tolerance, sturdiness and stability. It doesn’t require much water and is able to capture 35 kilograms of carbon dioxide a year. The Ghaf tree is reflective of Mashreq Bank’s own spirit, capabilities and potential to grow, even in uncertain economic times.
Over the years, Mashreq Bank has remained committed to not only growing and strengthening its legacy, but contributing to community development through CSR initiatives, such as the Goumbook’ s Give a Ghaf Tree Planting Program. The bank’s initiative also directly supports the UAE’s ‘Year of Giving’, inaugurated by President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, by encouraging and motivating others to give back to the community.
Mashreq Bank is one of the UAE’s leading financial institutions with a growing business presence in the region including Egypt, Qatar, Kuwait and Bahrain. Its branch network extends across the UAE, with one in every two households banking with Mashreq Bank. It also has 12 overseas offices in nine countries, including Europe, the U.S., Asia and Africa. The bank prides itself on providing customers with access to a wide range of innovative products and services and is invariably among the highest performing banks in the region.
About Mashreq:
Established in 1967, Mashreq is the oldest Bank in the UAE with award winning financial solutions and services. Throughout its 50 years’ history, Mashreq has differentiated itself through innovative financial solutions, making it possible for its customers to achieve their aspirations. Today, Mashreq has a significant presence in 11 countries outside the UAE with 21 overseas branches and offices across Europe, USA, Asia and Africa.
Mashreq launched its new Vision and Mission in 2016, outlining its commitment towards its clients, colleagues and the community. In line with its new Vision to be the region’s most progressive bank, Mashreq leverages its leadership position in the banking industry to enable innovative possibilities and solutions for its customers across Corporate, Retail, International, Treasury and Islamic Banking. Mashreq is proud to be the first financial institution in the UAE to be awarded the Gallup Great Workplace Award for three consecutive years from 2014-2016. Mashreq also continues to invest in recruiting, training and developing future generations of UAE National bankers.
About Give a Ghaf – an initiative by Goumbook:
Launched in 2011, the Give a Ghaf Tree Planting Program is a non-profit initiative run by Goumbook, and aiming to boost awareness on the local ecosystem, protecting fauna and flora from the dangers of desertification, mass construction, water depletion and extinction. An indigenous species, named the UAE National Tree, the Ghaf is a drought – tolerant, evergreen tree which is, possibly, the sturdiest plant of the harsh desert environment.
Goumbook is the leading social enterprise promoting sustainable living and green practices in the UAE and beyond since 2010. Goumbook’s mission is to create a new global community focused on sustainability, environmental responsibility, uniting environmental experts, organizations, businesses and consumers.
