KUWAIT: Zain, Kuwait’s leading digital services provider, has been awarded the ISO 37301:2021 certification an internationally recognized standard for Compliance Management Systems (CMS).

As one of the first mobile network operators in the region to achieve this significant milestone, this certification within the Telecom Regulatory compliance management scope is testament to the operator’s unwavering commitment to regulatory adherence, and a culture of integrity across all levels of the organization.

Notably, this marks the seventh ISO certificate earned by Zain Kuwait, further reinforcing its leadership position as the telecom operator with the most ISO certifications in the country.

ISO 37301 provides a comprehensive framework for establishing, developing, implementing, evaluating, and improving an effective compliance management system, supporting an overall high standard in Regulatory Compliance.

Tangible benefits to organizations that attain ISO 37301 certification include: Improving business opportunities and sustainability; protecting and enhancing an organization’s reputation and credibility; taking into account expectations of interested parties; demonstrating an organization’s commitment to managing its compliance risks effectively and efficiently; increasing the confidence of third parties in the organization’s capacity to achieve sustained success; minimizing the risk of a contravention occurring with the attendant costs and reputational damage.

Zain Kuwait CEO Nawaf Al-Gharabally

Nawaf Al-Gharabally, Zain Kuwait CEO commented: “Adhering to the highest compliance standards within our operation is a must, not an option. This ISO 37301 certification reflects our commitment to best global practices, a critical driver that will support our ‘4WARD’ strategic aspirations to sustain long-term growth, create value and bolster investor confidence.”

He added, “As the first operation within the Zain Group to be awarded this certification, other sister operating companies have the inspiration and blueprint to follow suit, as we collectively look to elevate and ensure the Telecom Regulatory compliance scope across our footprint.”

Al-Gharabally concluded by recognizing, “We owe this certification to the conducive cooperation between the Zain Group and Zain Kuwait regulatory team’s commitment and hard work. Their diligence and integrity made it possible and remains a driving force to further enhance and strengthen the organization’s Regulatory Compliance practices.”

Zain Kuwait’s leadership in ISO certifications is a direct reflection of the company’s relentless pursuit of excellence, making it the telecom market leader in Kuwait when it comes to internationally accredited compliance and management systems.

ISO 37301:2021 CMS

A CMS based on the requirements and guidance of ISO 37301 equips Zain with a set of tools (policies, processes, and controls) that allows the company to establish and maintain a culture of compliance. This CMS based on ISO 37301 reflects Zain’s commitment to sound norms of corporate governance, good practices, and ethical conduct as well as improving the company’s ability to identify and respond to noncompliance.

ISO 37301 includes requirements that address competence, communication, and awareness. By complying with these requirements, Zain ensures that the vision of the top management is translated and embedded into the conduct of its managers and employees. Above all, the governing body and top management of Zain actively and visibly demonstrate their commitment to the CMS through their actions and decisions.

Zain Group’s Regulatory Compliance Program (RCP)

The RCP program was launched with the vision of enabling all Zain Group wide Regulatory teams to establish a unified compliance framework, aimed at achieving complete and sustained adherence to directives issued by telecommunications regulatory authorities. A key focus of the program was to secure ISO certification for the operations, ensuring alignment with globally recognized leading practices.

In its initial phases, RCP equipped Zain operating companies with critical tools including centralized repositories, documentation databases, role clarity, automated reminders, management dashboards, and digitized workflows, ensuring compliance excellence remains integral to operations.

Considerable progress in institutionalizing regulatory compliance has been made underscoring the company’s commitment to governance and regulatory excellence. The RCP has now been successfully implemented in Zain operations across Kuwait (now certified), Bahrain, and Iraq. Furthermore, the RCP is now being rolled out in Sudan, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and South Sudan, and within ZainTECH, the Group’s enterprise digital services arm. These concrete actions further strengthen Zain Group’s regulatory frameworks and operational efficiency to ensure continued compliance to directives from Telecommunications Regulatory Authorities across the company’s footprint remain ongoing.