Zain Group announced its successful participation as a strategic partner associate at this year’s World Economic Forum (WEF) that took place on Jordan’s Dead Sea, from May 21-23.

Commenting in a blog on the WEF’s official website, Zain Group CEO Scott Gegenheimer said: “As the leader of a prominent regional telecommunications company, I recognize the value of moving beyond a traditional understanding of business growth that is strictly profit-centric toward sustainable notions of growth that include acting as a catalyst for socio-economic development in the broader community.”

Gegenheimer added: “If organizations are going to lead in today’s knowledge economy, they should take measures to contribute to and foster knowledge creation, embrace innovative technology and support entrepreneurial activities.”

Zain will continue to extend the scope of ongoing impactful activities and execute new activities as opportunities arise. The company will also expand its support for the entrepreneurial and innovative capacities of its communities, utilizing smart capital to bolster individual projects that are deemed strategically valuable.

and will develop multiple streams that provide strategic, financial and operational assistance to aspiring entrepreneurs.

Based on measured impacts from 2014, Zain estimates that its participation in the Call for Action will impact 15,000 people through direct training, education or entrepreneurial assistance over a two-year span across Zain’s operating markets.

This year’s WEF event was held with the full support and presence of King Abdallah and Queen Rania, convening over 800 key leaders from government, business, and civil society to support a comprehensive and forward-looking vision for prosperity and peace across the MENA region.