UAE telecom company du won top spot in an index that ranks companies according to their level of corporate governance and corporate social responsibility.

The firm was ranked first in the Standard and Poor/Hawkamah Environmental, Social and Corporate Governance (ESG) Index 2011.

"The ranking comes as a result of the telecommunications company's sustained efforts to enhance corporate governance standards within the company and community, which have boosted du up from last year's ranking to achieve the position as a leader and implementer of best practice," the organisers of the index said in a statement yesterday.

‘Extremely proud'

Du chairman Ahmad Bin Byat said: "Our improved ranking is a reflection of the level of corporate governance and compliance excellence that our colleagues have striven towards in the past year.

"We are extremely proud that our efforts have improved our ranking in the S&P/Hawkamah Environmental, Social and Corporate Governance Index, and we have reached the very top."

Du CEO Osman Sultan added: "We hope that in the future, our company will become synonymous with best practice in corporate governance, as a leading example that sets the benchmark for the region."

The telecommunications company upgraded its website to better disclose its corporate social responsibility activities. Part of this process was revamping the company's policy and improving the corporate governance and investment relations websites.