International Tobacco and Cigarettes Company (ITC) celebrated this month the 12th anniversary of its launch in Jordan in honor of its employees, and the accomplishments achieved by the company this year. This year’s celebration was particularly significant due to the company’s achievement of successful growth in the local and regional markets.
The ceremony, held under the patronage of Mr. Tawfeeq Fakhouri, Chairman of the Board at ITC, and attended by the board of directors, along with a number of guests, friends and investors in the company, took place at the Jabri Restaurant in Wasfi Al- Tal Street.
Mr. Fakhouri confirmed in his speech that the importance of this ceremony lies in that it strengthens the relations and communication between the company’s management and its staff, and celebrates the company’s achievements throughout the past years, by reinforcing team spirit among the company’s employees, without exceptions.
“Our accomplishments throughout the past 12 years are the fruit of the hard work of this company’s employees all together, starting with the general manager, the management, and our staff. So we thank and appreciate all your efforts.” Mr. Fakhouri added.
ITC pays constant attention to its employees by means of minimum wage raising programs, and providing healthcare through the application of preventive measures, periodical examinations for various diseases, and the necessary treatment at all times. It also provides a distinguished health insurance program for the employees and their families, which covers many diseases that aren’t covered by other programs. It offers healthy daily meals for the employees, along with comfortable and safe transportation means from and to the company.
In this decade, the company launched a series of educational programs for its employees’ children with both public schools and universities education. The company took on the responsibility of paying all the expenses needed in as part of a motivational educational support policy for distinguished students.
ITC also launched ‘Bidaya Scholarship Fund’ in cooperation with the Ministry of Higher Education, and targets Jordanian youth that are with solid academic accomplishment, but without the means to allow them entry into Jordanian public universities. This program offers 12 academic scholarships, one for each governorate in the Kingdom, where the financial support expenses and the community service were estimated at JD 500,000.
In terms of the economy, ITC plays an active key role in supplying the local market with foreign currencies, and supporting the economic development of the Kingdom, by means of rising exports which are currently valued at US$ 165 million. The company also is committed to pay every year its dues of taxes on a regular basis to the government, estimated over the past 12 years at more than US$ 500 million.
The company currently employs more than 550 Jordanians, thus enhancing the local community’s expertise and competence in the tobacco industry. The company motivates its employees by providing them each year with a half- month's salary as an annual reward, to help them cope with their everyday expenses.
Mr. Fakhouri also pointed out that “the company intends to continue its success and achievements, which were accomplished by the balanced and wise management policy of the company to increase its sales in the local and regional markets. This success that we wouldn’t have achieved without the great efforts of our employees at ITC enhanced our market share in Jordan by more than 50%, which motivates us to attain more successes in the future.”
The company was a forerunner in establishing distinguished partnerships with international companies including Philip Morris, with which we have strong strategic relations, because of its commitment to introduce the finest brands of cigarettes of international quality. It’s our local success contributed to launching products in favored international markets.
In a press statement, Mr. Samer Fakhouri, General Manager of ITC, said:” The ceremony emphasizes the cheerful atmosphere, the communication, and the joint efforts of our employees. And since our human resources are our main asset, we try our best to provide our employees with the best work environment possible, by means of the programs we launched to improve their living conditions, and enhance their loyalty.”
