Syria Shell launched a road safety campaign earlier this year called ‘Salamtak’, which in English means ‘Your Safety’, in co-operation with the Ministry of Interior, the Homs Governerate and the Palmyra Municipal Council.

Ole Myklestad, Shell’s Country Chairman for Syria, said, “The campaign was conducted to support the commitment of the Syrian Cabinet, the Ministry of Transport and the Ministry of Interior to reduce the growing number of road traffic accidents in the country. The increase in road traffic accidents has been highlighted by the media following a study conducted by the Ministry of Interior, which identified the main reasons for road accidents as speeding, the poor condition of many vehicles, a failure to abide by the rules of the road and talking on mobile phones whilst driving.

“Our campaign consisted of a variety of activities designed to increase awareness amongst road users of the dangers on the roads, including the publication of a set of brochures on road safety and copies of the new road traffic law, all of which were distributed to motorists.

“Posters and TV advertisements highlighting the dangers were also run during the campaign. Driving at night can be dangerous due to vehicles driving without lights so reflectors were also issued to many vehicles so that they can be seen more easily in poor light.

“Shell treats the issue of road safety very seriously and has strict regulations governing the use of vehicles, both by Shell staff and its contractors, in all its operations. It is paramount for Shell people to comply with the company’s safety principles at all times and to encourage others to comply for the welfare of the whole country,” he concluded.

THE REGION

Shell Manager speaks at UN Women’s Day

Zara Khatib, Shell’s Technology Marketing Manager for the Middle East, Caspian and South Asia, was a guest speaker on the Highest Panel at the United Nations’ Commemoration Observance of International Women’s Day, held in New York in March. She delivered a paper entitled ‘Education is a powerful learning tool and a valuable investment in women’s empowerment’.

During her presentation she said, “Businesses such as Shell have come a long way by embracing and recognising the huge benefits of a diverse workforce, particularly with a high percentage of women. Development of women in Shell is not an option but a business imperative. We already work together with a wide range of partners that continuously support and progress the UN Millennium Development Goals, primarily in promoting gender equality and in empowering women.”

She went on to talk about Shell’s goal to have more women in senior management positions, and described Shell’s Women’s Career Development programme, the company’s women’s networks, Shell’s activities for girls and women in schools, colleges and universities, and set out the objectives of Shell’s Intilaaqah programme in the Middle East, a self-help programme which enables young entrepreneurs set up and run their own businesses.