Damas, a leading jewellery and watch retailer in the Middle East, has announced its exclusive partnership with the Al Jalila Foundation, a global, U.A.E.-based philanthropic organisation founded by Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, to position the nation at the forefront of medical innovation.
The partnership agreement was signed last week by Dr. Abdulkareem Sultan Al Olama, the CEO of Al Jalila Foundation and Anan Fakhreddin, the CEO of Damas, at a press conference hosted at Damas HQ.
Under the agreement, Damas commits to support the Foundation’s medical research aspirations for one year commencing September 2014. The partnership will include several joint campaigns, commencing with the sale of a unique piece of jewellery inspired by Al Jalila Foundation’s ‘Key of Hope’, which was first presented to His Highness Sheikh Mohammed at the official launch of the Foundation in April 2013. The Key embodies the Foundation’s pledge to unlock medical advancements for a healthier society, and to deliver on His Highness Sheikh Mohammed’s vision to transform the U.A.E. into one of the leading countries in the world.
The Key of Hope by Damas for Al Jalila Foundation is a limited collection with only 1,000 pieces available. The pieces go on sale today, and five per cent of the sales will be donated to support Al Jalila Foundation’s medical research programmes.
Anan Fakhreddin said, "At Damas, we believe in the importance of medical research and through the years it has become a priority for the U.A.E. as it continues to move towards a knowledge-based economy and aims to become one of the world’s top nations by 2021. Al Jalila Foundation has been a significant contributor to the advancement of local medical capabilities since its inception and, as a U.A.E. company, Damas is proud to be establishing an ongoing commitment to such a noble community endeavour." Dr. Abdulkareem Sultan Al Olama said, "We are encouraged to see more corporates stepping forward to support medical research in the U.A.E. As a Foundation, we rely on the support of the community to help fund life-saving research to improve the nation’s health. 100 percent of the donations we receive are used to fund our programmes directly. We thank Damas for their commitment and the creativity they bring in support of medical research." Other campaigns to support the partnership will be announced in due course throughout the next 12 months.