Amman, Sept. 9 (Petra) -- Zain Group has secured an "AA" rating in MSCI’s environmental, social and governance (ESG) assessment, placing the telecommunications group among the leading companies in Gulf markets for its management of sustainability-related risks and governance practices.
The upgraded rating reflects Zain’s performance across key areas including data security, privacy, human capital management, environmental practices and corporate conduct, according to a statement issued Wednesday by Zain Jordan.
The group outperformed the telecommunications industry average across those areas, with the assessment particularly highlighting its data security practices compared with peers in the telecommunications and technology sector.
Zain attributed the result to measures including preventive cybersecurity controls, incident-response mechanisms and due-diligence requirements for suppliers aimed at ensuring compliance with data protection and cybersecurity standards.
The assessment also recognized progress in employee engagement and workplace practices, including initiatives focused on accountability, ethical conduct, talent development and creating an inclusive working environment.
Zain Group Vice Chairman and CEO Bader Al-Kharafi said the rating marked another step in the company’s long-term transformation into a technology-focused group and reflected the integration of governance practices across its operations.
He said the result demonstrated the group’s ability to translate its strategic commitments into measurable outcomes, supported by what he described as disciplined implementation of its operating strategy.
Zain said it has increasingly integrated ESG considerations into its operations and decision-making, with corporate governance built around effective oversight, ethical leadership, transparent disclosure and risk management.
The group said the approach is intended to strengthen its ability to anticipate risks while balancing responsible growth with long-term business performance.
MSCI ESG Ratings measure companies’ exposure to financially relevant sustainability risks and opportunities and assess how effectively those issues are managed. Ratings take into account the nature of each industry and the strength of a company’s governance and management frameworks.
Zain said it would continue developing its institutional capabilities and sustainability initiatives as telecommunications and technology markets evolve, with a focus on responsible growth, competitiveness and supporting digital transformation across the markets in which it operates.
//Petra// RZ
