General Electric (NYSE: GE) has won the US Secretary of State’s global 2016 Award for Corporate Excellence (ACE) for its inclusive hiring practices in Saudi Arabia underlined by the All-Women Business Process & IT Services Center in Riyadh.
The annual ACE is presented to US firms that uphold the highest standards of responsible business conduct in their global operations. ACE nominations are focused on the exemplary operations of a company in a specific country with the nominations made by US embassies and consulates. Tony Blinken, Deputy Secretary of State, presented the award to GE at a ceremony held in Washington DC.
Announced in September 2013, the groundbreaking all-women center is a partnership between GE, Saudi Aramco and TCS. The center celebrated the milestone of employing 1,000 women last March, with a target of hiring 3,000 women in the coming years. GE and Saudi Aramco are anchor clients of the center, with services now extended to include Saudi Telecom Company and the Saudi Ministry of Economy & Planning.
A round 600 employees work exclusively on projects for GE as part of Global Operations, GE’s multi-functional shared services organization. At the core of the GE Store, Global Operations is a critical enabler of the company’s simplification efforts. A very diverse team, Global Operations has more than 8,000 employees around the world, comprising 99 nationalities, 62 percent of whom are women. The all-women team in Saudi Arabia delivers 23 shared services operations such as Finance and Accounting, Human Resources, Supply Chain Management, Information Technology and Enterprise Data Management, for more than 50 GE locations world-wide.
The center in Riyadh is working on expanding its scale, by exploring opportunities with potential customers in the government and private sectors. This directly supports Saudi Vision 2030, which aims to increase the female workforce participation from 22 to 30 percent in the coming years.
Hisham Albahkali, GE’s President & CEO for Saudi Arabia and Bahrain, said: “We are exceptionally proud of our Saudi female talent who are engaged in diverse career paths — from engineers to lawyers to roles in our all-women shared services center. Focused on localization and Saudi talent development, we work with our partners to support the goals of Saudi Vision 2030 by accelerating the participation of Saudi women in the workforce. Inclusive hiring is part of our corporate commitment and the all-women center is a vital component of our talent ecosystem.”
GE wins award for inclusive hiring practices in Saudi Arabia
GE wins award for inclusive hiring practices in Saudi Arabia
Dubai Shopping Festival’s sporting events turn city into hub for outdoor action
The Dubai Shopping Festival is raising the bar this winter with a high-impact sporting calendar that runs throughout December and January, transforming the city into a hub for elite competition, community fitness and outdoor action.
From professional basketball to baseball games, polo tournaments, half marathons, and horse racing, the festival brings together athletes, families and spectators for a dynamic winter season of sport. The diverse lineup of events strengthens DSF’s role in supporting Dubai’s active lifestyle, showcasing world-class sporting venues and encouraging community engagement during the city’s peak outdoor season.
Key sporting events taking place during DSF:
Dubai Racing Carnival
- Race days: Jan. 2, Jan. 9 and ongoing dates until March 13.
- Location: Meydan Racecourse
The flagship winter racing season features international horses and top jockeys.
More information: https://www.visitdubai.com/en/festivals-and-events/dubai-events-calendar/dubai-racing-carnivaland https://www.visitdubai.com/en/festivals-and-events/dubai-events-calendar/dubai-racing-carnival-festive-friday
Silver Cup
- Date: Jan. 10-Jan.24
- Location: Al-Habtoor Polo Resort and Club
Silver Cup, part of Dubai’s prestigious polo calendar, sees six of the world’s best teams go head-to-head in a 20-goal handicap.
- More information: https://www.visitdubai.com/en/festivals-and-events/dubai-events-calendar/silver-cup
Spinneys Dubai 92 Cycle Challenge — Build-Up Ride 4
- Date: Jan. 4
- Location: Al-Qudra Cycle Track
The last of the Spinneys Dubai 92 Cycle Challenge Build-Up Rides is designed to help cyclists build their stamina ahead of the ultimate challenge.
- More information: https://www.visitdubai.com/en/festivals-and-events/dubai-events-calendar/spinneys-dubai-92-cycle-challenge-build-up-ride-4
Hood to Coast Dubai 2026
- Date: Jan. 10
- Location: Al-Marmoom Desert Conservation Reserve
Hood to Coast Dubai challenges teams to conquer a series of relay segments through expansive desert trails, with each runner taking on their leg before passing the baton.
- More information: https://www.visitdubai.com/en/festivals-and-events/dubai-events-calendar/hood-to-coast
Skechers Performance Run — Race 4 (16k/10k/5k/3k)
- Date: Jan. 10
- Location: Meydan
Enjoy a fun day out for the whole family at this popular community race offering various distances, where participants can run along the traffic-free roads of Meydan.
- More information: https://www.visitdubai.com/en/festivals-and-events/dubai-events-calendar/skechers-performance-run
Marina Home Dubai Creek Striders Half Marathon 2026
- Date: Jan. 11
- Location: Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club
One of the largest races of its kind in the UAE and the Middle East, this half marathon will mark its 23rd edition in 2026.
- More information: https://www.visitdubai.com/en/festivals-and-events/dubai-events-calendar/dubai-creek-striders-half-marathon
A citywide sporting season
With events spanning elite international fixtures, community runs, polo tournaments, multi-distance races, trail challenges and recurring racing nights at Meydan, DSF strengthens Dubai’s winter season for sport, well-being and outdoor experiences.
