Owing to Banque
Misr’s status as a leading financial institution that adheres to the principles
of sustainability; and its compliance with the General Reporting Initiative
(GRI), it is considered the first state-owned bank to report its business
practices with consideration to such tenets as governance, human rights,
anti-corruption, social participation and environmental safety standards. The
GRI network comprises thousands of institutions around the world that report
their business outcomes from the perspective of sustainability as a basis for
disclosure, for the purpose of realizing communal participation and prosperity.
The Bank has recently published its annual sustainability report for the
financial year 2018/2019, which showcases its successful commitment to
implementing the principles of sustainability in all its transactions and
operations – whether on an economic, social or environmental level.
This is together
with Banque Misr’s compliance – as the first national bank and since late 2015
– with the UN Global Compact for Citizenship (Corporate Social Responsibility)
standards, since it has consistently observed the ten standards and principles
of the Compact, which take into account equality, rights, the abolition of
discrimination and child labor, maintaining a healthy and safe environment,
implementing governance and combating corruption.
The Bank has also
recently partaken in the financial initiative of the UN’s environmental program
for launching “Responsible Banking Principles”, targeting the realization of
sustainable development and the social and environmental responsibility of
institutions. As such, Banque Misr positions itself on the list of responsible
banks that conduct their business transactions in compliance with sustainable
development objectives and the Paris climate change treaty. The initiative
establishes a framework for sustainable banking systems, where financial
institutions align their business strategies with the interests of individuals
and the community; while striving to maximize positive impacts and mitigate
negative influences of business on individuals and society.
In reporting its
business practices, Banque Misr focuses on clarifying its accomplishments at
the level of various sectors and operating responsibly with all relevant
parties; while promoting sound practices that fulfil sustainability and government
requirements so as to maintain the principles of transparency and
accountability. This is in addition to highlighting the sustainability
initiatives and projects undertaken by the Bank, which serve to underscore the
importance of collaboration between all institutions, sectors and segments of
society to attain environmental and communal sustainability.
Ever since its
inception, Banque Misr has been set on providing banking services to all
citizens of Egypt. As such, its role has not been limited to merely attaining
financial success but has expanded to position it as a national financial
instrument spearheading domestic and strategic development in social and
economic domains. The Bank operates an expansive network of more than 700
branches across Egypt and the Middle East, rendering its services to all social
segments for the purpose of realizing financial inclusion as a tenet of
sustainable development and a driver of growth, financial and social stability.
Accordingly and
towards achieving financial inclusion, Banque Misr has keenly partaken in
several initiatives and protocols that serve members of society and has also
observed all standards of achieving sustainable development. From assessing the
environmental impact of its activities insofar as emissions, to monitoring
financial and non-financial performance, risk management, enabling
governance-based plans, cutting costs, strictly observing all laws and
regulations and financing environmentally-friendly projects; Banque Misr has
emphasized the importance of observing these standards to all relevant parties.
Owing to its belief in social responsibility – as one of the main
tenets of achieving sustainable development – the Bank participates both
directly and indirectly through its independent, non-profit foundation
"Banque Misr Foundation for Community Development" in developing and
assisting the Egyptian community in multiple fields including education,
culture and employment, public health and the environment, as well as aiding
the most deserving Egyptian villages.
Banque Misr diligently strives to improve its services and maintain its
longstanding success, in addition to proactively partaking in services that
fulfil the needs and expectations of customers, owing to them being its partners
in success. The Bank also works to strengthen its leading role and continuous
ability to achieve robust performance levels. It was established for the
purpose of contributing to the wellbeing and prosperity of society and for more
than 100 years, has kept true to its mission; assuming the role of a national
instrument spearheading communal development in all areas, while being
committed to achieving sustainable development for Egypt.
