·
Cicero & Bernay, in
collaboration with CARMA International, launches the fourth edition of the
annual regional corporate social responsibility report.
·
Egypt, the KSA and the
UAE lead the charge, with an awareness majority of 96%, 92% and 91%,
respectively.
·
In the current year,
80% of MENA executives expect increased CSR activities.
·
Regionally, Egypt (93%)
and the KSA (87%) show the strongest intent to expand CSR efforts.
DUBAI, UAE, June 12, 2024 – For the fourth
consecutive year, Cicero & Bernay (C&B), a leading communication
partner headquartered in Dubai, has launched its groundbreaking MENA CSR Report
in collaboration with CARMA International, a top global research firm. This
year’s edition sets a bold precedent, reflecting the region’s CSR achievements
and shedding light on the strategic pivot towards comprehensive ESG standards,
poised to redefine the business ethos across MENA.
The 2023 MENA CSR report
surveyed over 340 C-suite and senior executives across the UAE, the KSA, Egypt,
the Levant, and several other GCC countries. This comprehensive survey spans
various high-impact sectors, such as technology & engineering, banking
& finance, oil & gas, construction, healthcare, automotive, and real
estate, showcasing a broad and diverse sectoral engagement in corporate social
responsibility initiatives across the region.
This year, the report
has been significantly enhanced to offer a more comprehensive analysis, now
including industry-specific insights and providing detailed responses based on
seniority and decision-making roles within companies. Additionally, the report
offers more in-depth regional and industrial breakdowns, ensuring a thorough
understanding of CSR impacts and trends across diverse sectors and geographies.
2023 Report Highlights:
·
84% of business leaders
surveyed in the MENA region now recognize CSR metrics as integral to their
strategic planning, ensuring a responsible and sustainable business model.
·
CSR-driven companies
are seeing a surge in consumer trust and loyalty, reflecting a growing
preference for brands with robust ethical practices. 71% of firms operate
active programmes, with a further 24% preparing to launch their initiatives.
·
In Egypt, awareness and
understanding of CSR grew the largest this year, increasing significantly from
84% to 94%.
·
Over 80% of executives
surveyed report a positive impact of CSR on customer engagement, profitability,
and competitive positioning. This reflects a 110% increase in sentiment
compared to last year’s average of 38%, which supports the view that CSR significantly
enhances business outcomes.
As businesses globally
face increasing pressure to operate sustainably and ethically, the MENA region
steps into the limelight with pioneering initiatives that integrate
environmental, social, and governance factors into the core of business
operations. The 2023 report captures this pivotal transformation, marking a
significant milestone in how regional businesses will approach ESG moving
forward.
“Transitioning from
CSR to ESG isn’t just a trend-it’s a transformative journey that cements our
commitment to future generations,” said Ahmad Itani, Founder and CEO of
C&B. “This report doesn’t just reflect where we are; it’s a beacon for
where we’re headed, underscoring our dedication to fostering a sustainable and
ethically-driven market landscape.”
Mazen Nahawi, Founder
and CEO of CARMA International, said: “Our partnership with Cicero &
Bernay is a reflection of the incredible potential lying within the MENA
region. The rich tapestry of progress here is a story the world is still
discovering, and through our collaborative efforts, we are not only
highlighting the remarkable CSR achievements over the past year but also paving
the way for future advancements in ESG and responsible business
practices.”
Looking ahead, the
report predicts that by the end of 2024, over 90% of surveyed MENA businesses
will have fully integrated CSR strategies into their operations, with
significant advancements anticipated in environmental sustainability measures
and governance transparency. The report also highlights a growing trend towards
using advanced CSR metrics to track and report on sustainability efforts,
providing stakeholders with clear and actionable insights into corporate
performance.
For the complete
findings and to explore how MENA is setting a new global benchmark in CSR
practices, download the full report at https://www.cbpr.me/mena-csr-survey-report-2023/.
ENDS-
About Cicero & Bernay
Communication Partner:
Cicero & Bernay Communication Partner is an
award-winning, fully integrated communication agency. It delivers bespoke
traditional and new media strategies and campaigns to some of the region’s most
prominent brands through its expert multilingual team. Established in 2005 and
headquartered in Dubai, UAE.
Our ethos is to let the facts do the talking, from making a
measurable impact on our clients’ businesses through research and insights to
developing innovative ideas and result-oriented campaigns that deliver
long-term, positive ROI. The foundation of all our work lies in attention to
DETAIL – Data, Explore, Target, Assemble, Interpret, and Leverage.
About CARMA International:
CARMA International is a pioneering research and insights
agency, providing in-depth market analyses and data-driven strategies,
supporting informed decision-making in over 52 global markets.
By
CICERO & BERNAY
