Sustainability & Corporate Social Responsibility

CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

In line with our commitment to the community and to the nation, Qatari Investors Group (Q.P.S.C) the “Company” or “QIG” and its subsidiaries (collectively “the Group”), considers Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) as one of the major pillars to its business environment. Both corporate governance and CSR activities within the Group focus on adopting ethical practices and demonstrating a commitment toward its Shareholders and Stakeholders.

Throughout the year 2023, QIG was able to activate and participate in several initiatives as part of its CSR program on the Company level and through its subsidiaries and partners as well.
 

FITNESS & HEALTH

The Group organized a Medical Health Checkup campaign for all the staff on a number of days. The campaign was organized in cooperation with a medical center, and several medical services were offered covering general health checkups. This took place in several locations of the Group.

QIG fully supports a healthy lifestyle for its employees by improving their fitness level, in the three “Get Fit Challenge” seasons organized by one of its subsidiaries, Europcar Company, where it selected the winners who lost the most weight and achieved a healthy BMI. The goal is to improve the fitness level of employees and maintain a healthy lifestyle.

QIG Marine Services, a subsidiary of QIG, has participated in The Shipping Agents Cricket League Tournament, as part of its commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility. The participated team won first place at the tournament and were later invited for a celebration at the head office where appreciation certificates were distributed to all players.

WOMEN’S INTERNATIONAL DAY

QIG celebrated all the women of The Company on March 8th 2023, by distributing flowers as a token of celebration of this day. Furthermore, Europcar Company organized a day for its staff to talk about women’s role in society and break the bias about women. This was part of Europcar’s annual events calendar where the staff gets to communicate and share their knowledge regarding each topic.

BREAST CANCER AWARENESS

QIG supported the “October Breast Cancer Awareness Month”, through spreading awareness to all its staff on breast cancer, by sending out an informative video about the disease, some global statistics, its causes, symptoms, and preventative measures. Followed by distribution of symbolic gifts and ribbons to resemble the Group’s support to this cause. Europcar Company also supported the cause through its annual campaign organized to increase awareness. A gathering was organized with a competition and prizes all related to Breast Cancer.

ENVIRONMENT

As part of the Group’s focus on the environment, and its commitment towards the Country’s community and well-being, under QIG’s agreement with Electronics Recycling Factory (ERF), the first certified ethical recycler of E-Waste in the GCC, QIG succeeded in recycling 3.65 tons of electronic waste. The goal is to reduce the harmful effects of electronics just laying around emitting harmful radiation that are not seen nor felt in the short run but have harmful effects in the long-run.

QIG has also participated in a Mangrove Planting Initiative organized by the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change in collaboration with The French Business Council (CCIF), where participants from several companies joined hands to plant more than 600 trees. QIG participated along with its subsidiaries Al Khalij Cement Company (AKCC), QIG Marine Services, and Europcar Company, with the aim of preserving and protecting mangrove habitats for their vital role in carbon isolation and help in abating climate change.

QIG’s commitment to the environment is also presented through its subsidiary, Europcar Company, where it provides its customers with electric vehicles and hybrid options, which produce lower or no tailpipe emissions. By choosing these environmentally friendly options, travelers can significantly reduce their environmental impact and contribute to fighting climate change. To encourage their customers, CO2 emission levels are mentioned in every quotation.

Further, Europcar Company arranged for several recycling activities throughout the year, where the results of some recycling activities were as below:

1. Recycling of tire waste – a total of 73 Nos of scrap tires recycled (Certificate available)
2. Recycling of paper waste – a total of 1510 kg of paper waste and card boards recycled.

QIG’s environmental protection is key to our sustainable business model. Guided by one of QIG Industries’ subsidiaries, Al Khalij Cement Company (AKCC)’s enduring commitment to mitigating the effects on the environment, AKCC is committed to continually improve its environmental performance and provide positive contributions to the business. To support this commitment, AKCC has developed and implemented an Environmental Management System ISO 14001:2004. AKCC has 4th generation baghouse filters continuously maintaining the established dust emission levels according to local and international standards. To control dust emission, an advanced technology 4th generation bag filters was installed, where there are automatic dust suppression systems at material transfer points. Additionally, there are covered material transport belts, entirely covered raw material stockpiles and paved roads inside AKCC premises. Additionally, there is an on-line emission monitoring system on all stack points to comply with MME requirements.

 
AKCC’s green initiative continues with planting, now a total of 600 trees in AKCC premises to minimize the carbon footprint. Treated sewage water is used for irrigation to preserve natural water resources.

Furthermore, and in line with the Group’s continuous commitment to the environment, Qatar Energy conducted a survey during the year 2023, regarding the impact evaluation of cement industries in Qatar. This survey concluded that AKCC had adopted best practices regarding environmental sustainability by minimizing the ecological impact of cement production. This includes adopting energy-efficient technologies to reduce carbon emissions and implementing waste management practices. Resource conservation, such as using alternative raw materials. Continuous monitoring and adherence to environmental regulations contributed to the overall goal of achieving ecological balance in cement manufacturing.

QIG has also shown further commitment to the environment through its partner, Medlog Logistics, during the year 2023, it signed a contract with Elite Paper Recycling for the regular collection and recycling of paper and cardboard, as part of its continuous commitment to the environment and sustainability best practices.

Further, through one of The Company’s partners, MSC organized a Blood Donation Campaign in collaboration with Hamad Medical Corporation, where employees volunteered to donate blood as part of giving back to the community and the company’s commitment to its Corporate Social Responsibility.

MSC Qatar team, also helped clean up the beautiful Singing Sand Dunes to the south-west of Doha. Around 150 volunteers, including 24 MSC colleagues, pitched in to support the #keepqatarclean campaign, including the Ambassador of Switzerland, Edgar Dorig. Together, they removed around 400kg of rubbish and plastic waste in just one hour.

INTERNATIONAL MEN’S DAY

QIG supported International Men’s Day by participating, through Europcar Company, in its annual event involving the growing of mustaches during the month of November to raise awareness on men’s health issues, such as prostate cancer, testicular cancer and suicide.

COMMUNITY

During the holy month of Ramadan, the Group held several events of Iftar and Suhour, hosting its clients, as well as celebrating the holy month with the Group’s employees. This comes hand in hand with the goal of strengthening the Group’s culture and environment as part of its commitment to CSR.

MOTHER’S DAY

On the occassion of Mother’s Day, a gathering was held to celebrate the mothers of the Group, where motivational speeches were given to show gratitude and appreciation to the role of mothers in the society and the workplace, symbolic gifts were also distributed as an appreciation symbol.

FATHER’S DAY

QIG celebrated Father’s Day, through a gathering of all the staff, where speeches were said talking about the crucial role of fathers in the society and the workplace. Symbolic gifts were given to employees as a token of appreciation and motivation.

SUSTAINABILITY

We believe that sustainability is about preserving our environment, respecting our employees and community, and returning value to our shareholders. The Company has wide monitoring systems to promote a positive contribution to the United Nations’ Sustainable Goals, which aim to improve the lives of people and create an all-round healthier world for tomorrow. Reporting annually on key measurements with qualitative and quantitative data. This is an enterprise-wide effort, engaging all our subsidiaries.
 

QIG began its sustainability drive by adopting the following 5 goals:

Good Health & Wellbeing:
Employees are at the heart of every organization. Protecting the health, safety and security of our employees, clients, guests and others working on our behalf are key priorities.

Quality education:
We provide an inclusive working environment in which we endeavor to develop our talent. Developing people is key to achieving our strategic objectives as a responsible business and for the long-term success of the company.

Decent work & Economic Growth:
We recognize that our success is tied to fair employment practices and providing a safe and compliant working environment.

Responsible consumption and production:
As one of our subsidiaries is a construction materials business, we have a greater responsibility to meet emissions targets and protect the environment. In addition, responsible consumption campaigns were launched across the company.

Peace, Justice and strong institutions:
As a conglomerate consisting of several entities, we place a strong emphasis on transparency, accountability, good governance, and nondiscrimination at all levels.