Amman, 26th March, 2007

The Jordan Telecom Group took part in the Corporate Governance and Responsibility Forum in the Middle East and North Africa, which concluded its meetings at the Dead Sea on Wednesday.

Chief Executive Officer Mickael Ghossein and Chief Strategy Officer Philippe Vogeleer of Jordan Telecom Group joined some 200 experts and business leaders at the Forum, which discussed corporate governance as a concept and the social responsibilities dimensions of corporations operating in the region.

At the opening session, Ghossein outlined the vision of JT Group with respect to its social obligations, and how Jordanians are considered the “national capital”.  He said the Forum allowed the Group to communicate with other delegations its experiences in the area of social responsibility, and its unique long time commitment to social development.

Ghossein focused on the fundamental role of the Group's strategic partner; France Telecom, which boasts 20 years of experience in social responsibility, culminating in the establishment of France Telecom Foundation (its current name Orange Foundation) for social responsibility that plans to serve all the communities where France Telecom has presence, including Jordan.  He also stressed the importance of the existing partnership between the private and public sectors and the need for the two sides to exchange expertise in support of society and individuals.

In another presentation, Vogeleer reviewed the philosophy of social responsibility, and took part in a plenary session on the role of multinational corporations towards societies. "Social obligation is equally an initiative and a commitment," he said, "one that aims to serve the community and benefit the company at the same time."

Vogeleer identified social responsibility criteria; its objectives and mechanisms to ensure that it reaps benefits that could be felt on the country level.  He made a distinction between social obligation and charitable work, and said the second is one-time action that has a limited impact, while the first is far reaching and extends to the national level, contributing to sustainable development. 

During a session on the role of multinational companies towards societies, Vogeleer said the Group works to translate the vision of His Majesty the King on the need for corporations to have a developmental impact on the societies where they operate.  He said globalization, where borders between states have been diminished, has contributed to the emergence of a unified concept, shared by all corporations in the area of social responsibility and respect for human rights.

Through the JTG Foundation, the Group supports projects and initiatives that serve the local communities and contribute to sustainable development by working to reduce poverty and unemployment, while also promoting local talents as well as culture and arts.

Jordan Telecom was first established in 1971 under the name "Telecommunications Corporation," which was then totally owned by the Jordanian government.  In 1997 the corporation was privatized and became known as the Telecommunications Company, providing fixed line services.  France Telecom entered as a strategic partner and gradually increased its share in the company until it eventually acquired a majority.  Today the Group encompasses the Jordan Telecom, which provides fixed line services, Mobilecom for mobile communications, Wanadoo for Internet services and eDimensions for content services.  The Group now serves 2.3 million subscribers.

France Telecom is one of the leading telecommunications providers internationally, operating in 220 countries across the world.  The company employs 200,000 staff members and serves 153 million subscribers worldwide, including 100 million subscribers with Orange, the company's trademark, and the second ranking worldwide.