Kuwait - September 26, 2006 - Gulf Bank's GM Human Resources, Mr. Surour Alsamerai recently returned from the bright lights of New York, where he received the International Stevie Award for Best Human Resources Team in ?The 2006 International Business Awards? on behalf of Gulf Bank. The International Business Awards are the only global, all-encompassing business awards program honoring great performances in the workplace.

Nicknamed the Stevie for the Greek word 'crowned', the awards were presented to winners at a gala dinner in the Marriott Marquis Hotel in New York City. The ceremonies were videocast live worldwide by HB Group, and were broadcast live on radio in the U.S.A by the Business TalkRadio Network.

Members of the Awards' Board of Distinguished Judges & Advisors and their staff selected International Stevie winners from among the Finalists, which were determined by volunteer judges around the world during two months of preliminary judging.

Recipients of 82 International Stevie Award trophies were selected from more than 700 nominations received from companies and individuals in more than 30 countries. Twenty-two nations have at least one International Stevie winner each, including Austria, Australia, Canada, China, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Finland, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Korea, Kuwait, Malaysia, Nigeria, Portugal, Sweden, Thailand, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, and the U.S.A.

Alsamerai commented on the impressive accomplishment, " I am very proud to accept this prestigious award on behalf of Gulf Bank. This award signifies the investment we at Gulf Bank make in our people. We care first and foremost about our employee teams. Specifically, the HR team won this prestigious honor because they consistently performed as a strategic business partner to the entire organization: supporting the Bank's tremendous growth; surpassing the Kuwaitization quota; providing world-class training; and ensuring smooth delivery of the HR role and functions for all internal customers." He concluded, " I am extremely proud of this hard-working team. It is my pleasure to say thank you and congratulations on behalf of the entire organization."