Business & Finance Club - Dubai : Etisalat, the leading telecom service provider in the UAE, received five awards at the International Business Awards which took place recently in Istanbul, Turkey.

The haul marks the largest number of accolades won by Etisalat at a single event, reflecting the company’s increasing stature as a global player in telecommunications and services.

The International Business Awards, also known as the ‘Stevies’ - which means crowned in Greek - were created to honour the achievements organizations and working people worldwide.

Etisalat received two ‘Stevie’ awards - for Best Multinational Company in the Middle East and Africa, and Chairman of the year 2010. This is the highest award possible and reflects excellence and high performance across various areas of operations.

Mohammad Omran, chairman at Etisalat, said: “We are proud for this recognition, which is just reward for all the hard effort from each of our 80,000 employees in eighteen countries and I wish to convey their appreciation for this recognition and also to applaud their efforts.”

Etisalat cited success in mobile broadband in the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Egypt where HSPA+ and LTE are being deployed. Etisalat is also making ground in terms of fixed-line broadband in countries such as Sudan, Pakistan and also the UAE, which will shortly house the first capital city in the world to be fully connected with fiber optics.

Etisalat also received three honourable mentions at the ceremony honouring its level of performance.

Ahmad Abdulkarim Julfar, Group chief operating officer, received an acknowledgement in the Best Executive in the Middle East and Africa category, and Salem AlSharhan, Group chief finance officer was awarded in the Best Chief Finance Officer category. Etisalat was also honoured for its environmental programme.

Julfar has overseen the engineering innovations of Etisalat including the deployment of the fiber optic network, and has been celebrated for his leadership and vision.

AlSharhan has managed Etisalat’s finances through difficult economic environments and has ensured the company remains both financially sound and capable to take any new merger and acquisition opportunity that may arise.