Kuwait Finance House (KFH) has wrapped up 2022 by successfully launching social initiatives with added value and positive impact on the community, leading KFH to win several prestigious local and global awards. Most prominent of these awards were “CSR Market Leader” award in Kuwait by Euromoney Magazine, and “Corporate Social Responsibility in the Middle East” award from EMEA Finance.

KFH Group Deputy General Manager Public Relations and Media, Yousef Abdullah Al-Ruwaieh said that KFH’s initiatives which targeted all society segments in 2022, highlighted KFH’s leading social role in serving the community, noting that this role is characterized by diversity and comprehensiveness which contributes to promoting sustainability standards as well as lays new foundations for the developmental role of the private sector.

Strategic social initiatives

Al-Ruwaieh pointed out that KFH enjoys a track record of strategic social initiatives. Among the most prominent societal contributions of KFH have been supporting the initiative to reconstruct the areas damaged in the Mubarakiya fire incident, supporting the capital governorate’s initiative to beautify its buildings and roads, launching an initiative in cooperation with the Ministry of Justice for the settlement of the liabilities of debtors against whom court orders were passed. KFH also contributed largely to the Covid-19 government relief fund. In addition, KFH supported the efforts of Ministry of Interior by providing vehicles to assist the ministry employees while carrying out their duties towards the state and society. The Bank also supported the efforts to build the Addiction Treatment Center and volunteered to build 15 ambulance centers to enhance the medical system.

Collaboration with Kuwait Red Crescent Society

Al-Ruwaieh said that during 2022 KFH signed agreements with Kuwait Red Crescent Society to support implementing social and humanitarian initiatives inside and outside the State of Kuwait, mainly, the execution of relief projects to aid the victims of natural disasters in Turkey. An agreement was also signed with the Disaster and Emergency Management in Turkey “EFAD” to support the establishment of a regional center to respond to the disasters and fires in Antalya – Turkey.

Al-Ruwaieh added that KFH has signed two donation agreements with Kuwait Red Crescent Society and King Hussein Cancer Center in Jordan aiming to cover the treatment expenses of cancer patients.

He mentioned that KFH has recently participated in the relief and medical campaign in Jordan and collaborated with Kuwait Red Crescent Society in a field visit to aid Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh. The visit is part of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Kuwait Office.

Sustainability initiatives & Keep it Green campaign

Al-Ruwaieh highlighted KFH’s role in promoting sustainability standards and continuing the efforts in (Keep it Green) campaign as part of the Group’s integrated sustainability strategy that includes all sustainability elements such as environment, society and youth.

He revealed that KFH signed a strategic partnership with Sidra initiative and the voluntary Green Dream team, which includes various environmental projects in the field of plantation and mitigation of carbon emissions such as the “Carbon Offset” platform. The “Carbon Offset” is the first platform in Kuwait through which carbon emission may be mitigated by launching greening and other environmental projects. KFH also participated in the plantation of nearly 2,000 in Abdali reserve in collaboration with the Green Dream Team. In addition, KFH’s team of volunteers participated in the cleanup campaign of Kubbar island and Ushairej Beach and renewed its strategic partnerships with SEEDS platform and Sadu House to provide workshops and courses on sustainability and preserving the environment.

“During 2022, KFH has succeeded in organizing several distinguished events to enhance sustainability awareness such as the initiative held at Assima Mall in collaboration with PUFF where it succeeded in collecting more than 25 thousand plastic bottles within 5 hours for recycling.” said Al-Ruwaieh.

He also said that KFH participated in a conference organized by Eco Business Incubator for environment and renewable energy projects. KFH also organized a Conference to launch the sustainability report as part of its integrated sustainability strategy.

GSAS certificate

Al-Ruwaieh also noted that KFH owns KFH-Auto showroom, which is an environmentally friendly building that meets green building and global sustainability standards. While the building is the largest auto showroom in the Middle East, KFH is the first Bank in Kuwait to receive the Global Sustainability Assessment System GSAS – Gold Level Certificate for its showroom.

You are our Pride platform

Al-Ruwaieh said that KFH is the first bank in Kuwait to launch the platform (You Are Our Pride) to honor distinguished people in various fields, stating that Kuwaiti talents succeeded in reaping big awards under this initiative in worldwide competitions.

He added that KFH took the initiative to organize a special meeting between KFH strategic partners and Group Acting CEO in recognition of their global efforts.

Youth and sport

He said that KFH continues its efforts to support youth and sport, explaining that the Bank has launched qualitative initiatives through utilizing innovation technology and other modern applications in collaboration with the creative Kuwaiti youth. Among these initiatives are KFH Obstacle Challenge, virtual walking competition in collaboration with V-FIT, in addition to the initiatives executed in collaboration with creative apps such as V-Thru and li3ib and many other applications. KFH also signed a strategic partnership with (Full Match) Football Academy and organized padel tournaments under the official sponsorship of Kuwait Olympic Committee.

Supporting entrepreneurship

He added that KFH’s support towards youth initiatives reflects its headship in supporting entrepreneurship, encouraging Kuwaiti youth, and promoting the concept of entrepreneurship among Kuwaiti youth. He also highlighted the KFH’s collaboration with Kuwaiti projects throughout the year as part of its strategy to support Kuwaiti youth endeavors.

Diraya campaign

Al-Ruwaieh stated that KFH has been at the forefront in supporting (Diraya) campaign. The campaign which is launched by the Central Bank of Kuwait in collaboration with Kuwait Banking Association has reached its goal with success.

People with Special Needs

He also affirmed KFH’s continues endeavors towards supporting people with special needs, noting that KFH has signed a strategic partnership with Kuwait Society for the Handicapped (KSH), the first of its kind in the banking sector.

Supporting students and graduates

Al-Ruwaieh pinpointed KFH’s distinguished efforts in supporting students and graduates, indicating that KFH has partnerships and cooperation with various universities, colleges, educational and academic institutions in Kuwait. He added that such partnerships and collaborations contribute to supporting Kuwaiti youth who have great capabilities for creativity and success.

He added that KFH organized a ceremony under the patronage of the Minister of Education honoring 130 high school toppers in the literary and science disciplines, religious studies in addition to top achievers from private schools and winners of distinguished awards for the academic year 2021/2022.

A strategic partnership with Coded

He went on to say that KFH has continued its strategic partnership with Coded Academy with the aim to teach basic programming languages using latest tools.

Winter Wonderland

Al-Ruwaieh also expressed his pride that KFH is the first private sector entity in Kuwait to support Winter Wonderland project, pointing out that KFH is the official sponsor and strategic partner of Winter Wonderland Kuwait, which is one of the most important strategic projects that have been implemented in cooperation with Touristic Enterprises Company.

Fan Box

KFH was the main sponsor of the Fan Box Project, the biggest FIFA World Cup fan area in Kuwait, offering football fans an opportunity to enjoy watching all matches aired from huge screens.

Increase Good Deeds in Ramadan campaign

He remarked the successful (Increase Good Deeds in Ramadan) campaign in 2022. The campaign encompassed various societal contributions and volunteer opportunities along with awareness initiatives, daily communications with the audience, competitions, Gergean events as well as youth and sporting activities. KFH’s team of volunteers participated in the preparation and distribution of thousands of iftar meals on daily basis across Kuwait’s governorates.

KFH also participated in the group iftar initiative for one thousand families in Jordan and distributed 15 thousand iftar meals to refugees in Jordan.

Quran Competition

Al-Ruwaieh added that KFH has conducted “KFH Reciters” competition for the recitation of Quran which was launched during the month of Ramadan under the supervision of Sheikh/ Fahad Al-Kandari and a group of highly distinguished reciters in Kuwait during which 26 winners were honored after the final eliminations.

Kuwait is Precious Forever

KFH executed an integrated national days program which has comprised various activities and events for the customers and the public as part of its campaign “Kuwait is Precious Forever”. In this respect, Al-Ruwaieh said that KFH launched a series of social events and activities, namely Pro-Truck event in which KFH played as a strategic partner. The event was held in Benaider area amidst a huge public attendance with over 25 thousand visitors. Also, more than 55 enterprises participated including international restaurants, cafes, and Kuwaiti youth projects.

Prestigious global awards

Al-Ruwaieh concluded by stating that KFH’s social endeavors have gained global commendation. The Bank was crowned by EMEA Finance with “Corporate Social Responsibility in the Middle East” award and classified as a “CSR Market Leader” at Kuwait level by Euromoney Magazine.