GORD and Kuwait Finance House officials during the certificate presentation ceremony.
Doha: Qatar’s Gulf Organisation for Research & Development (GORD) has awarded Kuwait Finance House (KFH) with Global Sustainability Assessment System (GSAS) certificate for sustainable building operations.
Having received the GSAS award with Gold rating, KFH has become the first bank in Kuwait to receive this recognition. Adopted by multisectoral organisations within GCC countries, Qatar’s homegrown GSAS framework has become the fastest growing green building rating system for new developments in the Gulf region.
The certificate presentation ceremony was held at KFH Auto showroom in presence of the Acting GCEO, AbdulWahab Essa AlRushood, Chairman, Gulf Organization for Research & Development, Dr. Yousef Alhorr, CEO of the National Technology Enterprises Co, Anas Mirza, in addition to members of KFH executive management.
In his speech on the sidelines of the certificate delivery ceremony, Dr. Yousef Alhorr , Chairman, GORD affirmed that KFH Auto showroom has earned this award, which comprises 10 main important standards, following several assessments and inspections and reviews of the documents related to the organisation requirements and the field visits conducted for checking and inspection by a highly specialized team of experts to ensure documents real time compliance.
“All signs of sustainability are clearly apparent in the showroom on the first visit including natural lighting, internal environment, ventilation and power consumption system. Undoubtedly, these factors create hope and inspiration for the existence of such environment friendly giant buildings,” he added.
Dr. Alhorr praised KFH interest, as one of the pillars of the financial and banking system in the Middle East, in sustainability and environment standards, saying, “It is pleasant to see the financial sector taking part in matters which are of interest to environment and the world at present and in the future, especially that sustainability has become the core interest of countries, governments and the whole world considering its significance to the future of mankind.
“We urge all institutions to follow the tracks of KFH in the practical implementation of sustainability which is no longer an intellectual luxury or a marketing material but a pressing necessity.”
Eng Fahad Al Falah, Senior Manager, Projects and Maintenance at KFH, reiterated that KFH Auto showroom is just an initial step and an integrated and strategic starting point for environment sustainability. He indicated that KFH has started to apply several sustainability projects in its 60 branches all over Kuwait. He noted that this trend comes in compliance with the board instructions which has initially reiterated the significance of moving towards sustainability and environment through KFH Auto showroom in addition to several initiatives which were launched under the umbrella of sustainability and the inclusive sustainability strategy of the bank.
Al Falah said KFH Auto is the largest showroom in the Middle East providing all finance services under one roof with a total area of 38,000 square metres.
The showroom enjoys several technical specifications rendering it as an environment-friendly building having all sustainability standards, including natural lighting and using latest glass technologies for the main facades which cover an area of 2,000 square metres with high external thermo insultation efficiency to benefit from natural light. A Sky Light is also provided to ceiling lighting covering an area of 350 square metres as well as LED system light and solar system glass boards to provide revolving energy through sun light as well as electric cars charging outlets.
He emphasised that KFH has always been precedent in this field and expressed his wish that all institutions would also contribute to the reservation of environment and sustainability for the best interest of the world.
On the other hand, KFH Executive Manager, Governance & Sustainability, said that the bank has an integrated 5-year sustainability strategy plan which was designed in 2020. “This would be the starting point for further professional projects.”
