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Shaikh Khalifa Excellence Award for 11 Abu Dhabi Companies

ABU DHABI — Eleven Abu Dhabi-based companies were awarded with the Shaikh Khalifa Excellence Award, or SKEA, in gold and silver categories, for following best business practices, after passing through a comprehensive assessment process in line with European standards.

At a largely-attended presentation ceremony held at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre on Monday evening, Shaikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, National Security Adviser, presented the awards to the CEOs and senior managers of the winning companies. The Zakum Development Company, or Zadco, clinched the top award in the gold category, while Abu Dhabi Gas Industries Limited, or Gasco, picked the silver award. In the banking sector, Union Nation Bank became the first-ever bank to receive thesecond gold award. The award was collected by Mohammed Nasser Abdeen, Chief Executive Officer.

Al Noor Hospital won the award in the healthcare sector and its managing director Dr. Qasim Aloom received the award from the chief guest.

In the silver category, Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank, or ADCB, clinched the award in finance group; UAE Exchange, a part of NMC Group, also won in the finance group. Gasco won in the newly-created oil and gas group, while Life Line Hospital, part of the Emke Group, received the award in healthcare sector.

National Petroleum Construction Company, or NPPC, a subsidiary of the General Holding Company, owned by the Abu Dhabi government, won the award in the construction sector. The award was received by Aqeel A Madhi, its Chief Executive Officer.

In the newly-created tourism services sector, Sheraton Hotel and Resort, Beach Rotana and Towers, Royal Meridian Hotel and Kanoo Travels, snatched their awards for the best performance.

Fast Rent A Car and Al Ain Sport and Culture Club, were also awarded in the tourism services sector.

With the corporate sector striving for efficiency and excellence, there was a renewed interest in the assessment process for the award, as more than 100 organisations and companies, almost double to last year’s number, were involved in the activity, said Professor Hadi Eltigani, Coordinator-General of SKEA, the organiser of the 
annual event.

The excellence award was presented to four companies in gold and seven in silver categories representing the key economic sectors of Abu Dhabi. The ninth edition of annual awards was expanded with four more new categories which were previously part of services sector, to give full fledge representation to oil and gas, healthcare, education, tourism services. Speaking on the occasion, Mohammed Rashid Al Hameli, director-general of ADCCI, asked the private sector to come forward and benefit from the economic opportunities being created in the emirate.

“The gold award is a testament to the sound policies adopted by the Bank as well as its consistent financial performance, said Mohammed Nasr Abdeen, Chief Executive Officer of UNB.

Talking to Khaleej Times, Sudhir Kumar Shetty, COO — Global Operations of UAE Exchange, said that the award would motivate his team to continue improving the services and processes.

haseebhaider@khaleejtimes.com