Ammon News - AMMONNEWS – Stemming from its corporate strategies and values that focus on sustainable development, and in order to build on its achievements in local development and promote sustainability, Lafarge Cement Jordan recently sponsored the 3rd Strategic Corporate Governance and Responsibility Forum 2011.

Since its inception, Lafarge Cement Jordan has continuously worked towards and believed in the importance of sustainable development, which it considers a social and national responsibility.

As part of its sponsorship of the 3rd Strategic Corporate Governance and Responsibility Forum 2011, Eng. Salem Sousou, CEO of Lafarge Cement Jordan, affirmed the company’s interest in supporting sustainable development, highlighting it as one of the company’s main priorities under its three managerial, social and environmental pillars towards achieving economic growth.

In 2005, Lafarge Cement Jordan launched its CSR initiative, Bina’a, which focuses on supporting development, education and safety within local communities, through creating partnerships with municipalities. The initiative stems from Lafarge Cement Jordan’s own strategy that aims to develop its employees, and establish sustainable development projects that benefit communities in the area.

Furthermore, in 2007, Lafarge Cement Jordan launched its social development program in collaboration with Irada, a local NGO, offering retired employees a grant of up to JD 10,000 to establish a micro business that services their local communities and creates job opportunities for individuals residing in the area. Through this initiative, the company established 510 projects within the agriculture, trade and service sectors, and created 1,530 job opportunities across the Kingdom. On the environmental front, Lafarge Cement Jordan significantly reduced dust emissions from its various sites to levels that fall below the levels required by Jordanian and European standards. The company also planted over 90,000 trees as part of a quarries rehabilitation project.

“Our commitment to sustainable development is not limited. Our position as leaders in the field of sustainable development requires continuous effort, progress, growth and a daily commitment to these principles. Lafarge Cement Jordan’s commitment to the principles of sustainable development is an integral part of our vision to become the undisputed leader in the cement industry in Jordan and the region. The strategy that we adopt to achieve this is based on a large-scale commitment to Lafarge’s environmental policy, as well as our commitment to implementing international and Jordanian environmental standards. Our support of this forum affirms Lafarge Cement Jordan’s dedication to sustainable development, and reflects our commitment to fully support corporate governance, CSR and sustainability, as they are the pillars of successful organizations,” commented Hana' Attiga Hudhud, Country Communications Manager-Cement, A&C Lafarge Jordan.

It is worth noting that the 3rd Strategic Corporate Governance and Responsibility Forum 2011, sponsored by Lafarge Cement Jordan, was organized by Schema, a leading regional advisory firm focused on corporate governance, CSR, and sustainability, and was attended by representatives of Jordanian private sector companies and organizations.