Pearl Initiative

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Pearl Initiative
Logo
Logo of the Pearl Initiative
Abbreviation PI
Motto Creating a Corporate Culture of Transparency and Accountability in the Arab World
Formation September 24, 2010 (2010-09-24)
Purpose/focus INGO
Headquarters Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
Region served Middle East
Founder Badr Jafar
Founder Amir Dossal
Executive Director Imelda Dunlop
Affiliations United Nations Office for Partnerships
Website www.pearlinitiative.org

The Pearl Initiative is a private-sector lead organization developed in cooperation with the United Nations Office for Partnerships. The Pearl Initiative seeks joint collaborative action between regional and global business leaders, international institutions, government bodies, wider initiatives, and cross-sector partnerships for the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf (GCC) region.[1][2]The organization aims to promote transparency, accountability, corporate governance and best business practices in the Arab world.

The organization was launched at the United Nations Headquarters in New York in September 2010 by UAE businessperson Badr Jafar and Amir Dossal, former head of the United Nations Office for Partnerships.[3]

The Pearl Initiative is based on the belief that corporate accountability and transparency are key pillars for the future of sustainable economic growth and job creation in the Arab world.[4]

The organization has published several reports on the corporate world in the Middle East, particularly those relating to privately held businesses.

Agenda

The official Pearl Initiative agenda state:[3]

  1. Initiating action and dialogue forums; acting as the catalyst between regional and global business leaders, international institutions, government bodies, wider initiatives, and cross-sector partnerships.
  2. Knowledge creation; by fostering greater insight and appreciation of the business case, issues and trends associated with transparency and accountability through the generation of new data, research and analysis across the region.
  3. Building a collaborative educational environment; within the many institutions to help assert a foundation for future leaders, to make a difference in creating a culture of transparency and accountability.

Published reports

The Pearl Initiative develops several research reports and publications relevant to Middle East businesses so that credible information into corporate accountability, transparency and associated good business practices are made available.[4] Earlier, in April 2012, in collaboration with the American University of Sharjah, the Pearl Initiative hosted a four-week internship programme for MBA students of the Judge Business School of the University of Cambridge and American University of Sharjah to present their own case studies based on meetings and interviews with executives at companies in the GCC.[5] The student research resulted in the publication of a research report on GCC corporate good practices in accountability and transparency.[6]

Pearl Initiative research has shown that 32% of family firms in the Gulf region have at least one female board member, a figure higher than many western countries.[7]

In January 2013, the Pearl Initiative, in collaboration with PWC, published a report titled Family Matters: Governance in GCC Family Firms, based on the results of interviews with 106 family firms in the Gulf region. The findings showed that 55 percent of GCC family firm respondents had non-family board members. 54 percent had non-executive directors who are family members and 42 percent have non-executive directors from outside the family.[8] The findings also established that family-run businesses in the Middle East were not open to regulation and viewed regulation as unnecessary interference.[9]


In 2013, Pearl Initiative, in collaboration with the King Khalid Foundation launched a competition for students who had researched and prepared case studies on best practices applied in Saudi companies.[6]

References

  1. ↑ "CPC Joins Pearl Initiative's Renowned Network of Leading Regional Corporate Partners". Zawya (Zawya). 11 July 2012. Retrieved 25 July 2012. 
  2. ↑ "Pearl Initiative educates the Next Generation of Leaders on Integrity and Ethics in Business". Zawya (Zawya). 23 April 2012. Retrieved 19 August 2012. 
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 "The "Pearl Initiative" designed to promote a culture of transparency and accountability in regional business". Zawya (Zawya). 20 September 2010. Retrieved 25 July 2012. 
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Majid Al Futtaim Holding becomes a Pearl Initiative Founding Partner". AMEInfo (AMEInfo). 7 August 2012. Retrieved 19 August 2012. 
  5. ↑ "UAE students at the heart of business". AMEInfo (The National). 27 April 2012. Retrieved 19 August 2012. 
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 "Pearl Initiative introduces corporate good practices". Saudi Gazette (Saudi Gazette). 5 November 2012. Retrieved 20 July 2013. 
  7. ↑ "Gulf leads way with women on boards". The Telegraph. 16 December 2012. Retrieved 20 July 2013. 
  8. ↑ "More non-family members find place in boardrooms". The Peninsula (The Peninsula). 30 January 2013. Retrieved 20 July 2013. 
  9. ↑ "Family firms not yet open to regulation". Qatar Online. 10 April 2013. Retrieved 20 July 2013. 

External links

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