Dubai honoured at 8th International Business Awards

Dubai Aluminium Company Limited ("DUBAL") - the entirely state-owned enterprise whose Jebel Ali operation ranks among the world's largest single-site smelters - is widely acknowledged as the industrial flagship of the UAE and a significant contributor to the non-oil sector of the economy. Affirming this status, the company received an honorary Stevie Award for Business Excellence during the 8th International Business Awards ceremony, held in Abu Dhabi on 11 October 2011, under the patronage of H E Sheikha Lubna bint Khalid Al Qassimi (UAE Minister of Foreign Trade).

According to the citation, the honorary Stevie Award was presented to DUBAL in appreciation of the company's achievements since its inception in 1979, which have supported the development of the UAE from an economic perspective. Abdulla Kalban (President & Chief Executive Officer) received the award on DUBAL's behalf.

Founded in 2002, the Stevie Awards were created to honour the achievements and positive contributions of organizations and working people worldwide. Beginning with the introduction of The American Business Awards in 2002, The International Business Awards in 2003, the Stevie Awards for Women in Business in 2004, and the Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service in 2006, the mission of the Stevie Awards is to raise the profile of exemplary organizations and individuals among the press, the business community, and the general public. Over the years, the annually-awarded International Business Awards ("IBAs") have become the leading international accolades for the business community. Each year, honourees from around the world are celebrated for their achievements in the workplace (the name "Stevie" is taken from Stephen, a name derived from the Greek word for "crowned").

This year marked the first time that the award ceremony for the IBAs has been held in the UAE. The occasion provided a valuable platform to showcase the country as a great place to do business, with ample opportunity for regional and international investors alike. The ceremony took the form of a star-studded gala event commensurate with the awards' stature; and gave companies the opportunity to access acknowledgement, promote awareness of products, services and networking opportunities, brand association, increase visibility and strengthen brand identification across the business and industry spectrum. More than 60 awards were presented to recipients from across the globe.