Recently, the "ExxonMobil Kazakhstan Inc." company became the general sponsor of two major projects, of "AYALA" charity fund. These projects are aimed to help children’s intensive care unit of Atyrau regional maternity hospital and of Mangistau Regional Hospital for Infectious Diseases. In the frameworks of this project, state health establishments have received resuscitation tables, X-ray and breathing apparatus, syringe dispensers and other equipment that is designed to provide the high quality medical care to babies and children who are patients of the regional hospital for infectious diseases, located in Aktau. Today, our magazine’s correspondent Dinara Muratova had an interview with Alia Kayupova, Deputy Managing Director (Government Relations and Public Relations) of the "ExxonMobil Kazakhstan Inc." company.
Many people believe that they are involved in charity work when giving alms to beggars. But in this case it is difficult to control what the money will be spent on. We are not sure whether they will be spent on food, as the most beggars say, or it will be a possibility to buy alcohol and drugs. On the other hand, nowadays the situation of charity funds is absolutely different. All the contemporary charity funds work in accordance with the principles of the complete transparency of actions, i.e. you can be absolutely sure that all the funds that you transferred to a charitable fund will be spent exactly on the projects, but not on these projects’ administration, or on other needs. What can you say about the funds, which do not present any report about the purposes which were achieved with the help of sponsors’ money?
ExxonMobil is the world's leading oil and gas company. One of our key objectives is to support the development of society, where we live and work. We accurately select the business projects, which are interesting for us to take part. As about social projects connected to provision of sponsorship, we select them with particular attention. First of all, they should have long-term positive impact on society, and be favorable for social and economic progress. Secondly, the charity fund, which implements the project, ought to have an appropriate reputation. The Fund should have a certain experience, a clear plan and budget for the project realization, transparent accounting, positive recommendations from the other sponsors, and of course, to meet many other criteria. We do not have deals with the funds that do not present an account of the sponsorship funds application, because the strict accountability - not only in financial sphere, but also in the general course of the project – is very important to us.
Why did you choose exactly “AYALA” charity foundation with the aim to assist the needy?
We are sure that health care is one of the foundation stones of our society. “AYALA” charity foundation appealed to our assistance with the "Breathe, baby" project, and it was accordant with the mentioned priority. The project is aimed to reduce maternal and infant mortality, which is also one of the priorities of the state that has been sounded repeatedly by the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan in his annual addresses.
Within the frameworks of the "Breathe, baby" project, we equip the resuscitation units of Atyrau perinatal center with vitally important equipment, including resuscitation tables, CPAP breathing apparatus, syringe and infusion dispensers. All this equipment is designed for care of preterm children. Moreover, four specialists neonatologists from Atyrau and Semey will undertake an internship in the Kharkov Medical Academy of Postgraduate Education, where they will obtain skills of the most modern methods of care of premature infants as well as infants with various health problems.
What encouraged you to take part in charity?
The history of the world's largest companies’ development confirms that the business success is indissolubly tied to social responsibility. Kazakhstan's most valuable resource is not oil or gas, but the people. Therefore, our major investments are in human capital. The age of oil and gas contracts fleeting, and we believe that we must leave behind such a social heritage that will long continue to bear fruit to the community of our state even after we are gone. This is precisely why "ExxonMobil" company is actively supporting the social programs in all the countries where it has business. Wherever we work, this is part of our undertaking.
Why did you decide to help the state establishments?
We are implementing the "Breathe, baby" project, as well as several other initiatives, in close partnership with the Healthcare Service Administration in Atyrau region. We are working on the other initiatives in cooperation with the Education Service Administration in Astana, with Atyrau Regional Department of the Children Rights Defense, with Education Service Administration in Atyrau region, with Municipal Department of Education and with the Republican scientific and practical center "Daryn" in the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Kazakhstan. We thank all our partners for cooperation in the implementation of social programs. The success of our initiatives would not have been possible without their support and participation.
Taking part in charity, do you have any facilities in the sphere of taxation?
No, we do not. However, we are absolutely convinced that the business success is indissolubly tied to social responsibility. Indeed, oil and gas production is impossible in the absence of qualified specialists, and also without the related social infrastructure, such as hospitals, schools, roads and so on. Therefore, regardless of taxation conditions, our eternal indebtedness is to make a positive contribution to the society where we live and work.
What way of charity is the most effective in your opinion?
The well-known Chinese proverb says: "Give a fish to a hungry - and you will feed him for a day. Give him a fishing rod and teach him to fish - and you will feed him for a lifetime." Our company is not a supporter of the onetime events, such as distribution of coupons or free lunches for the poor - in fact it is precisely that "fish" from the proverb. We believe in efficiency and make long-term investments in human capital, in training of medical personnel, modern equipment, in support of the development of Small and Medium businesses, in organization of national and international scientific competitions, in teaching pupils widely popular English language students. We believe that these investments will be "working" for the people of Kazakhstan for many years.
What do you personally get from taking part in charity?
I am proud to feel the involvement of our company in the improvement of the well-being of Kazakh society, and I get satisfaction from our modest contribution to the development of the country.
What plans do you have in the sphere of charity?
Our undertaking to make a positive contribution to the society where we live and work, remains unchangeable. Wherever we have business, we are investing not only in oil and gas production, but also in human capital development, as it guarantees a long-term success of our business. We are planning to continue to focus on projects in the spheres of education and health, because the development of exactly these spheres has always been a sign of the development of society as a whole.
Aliya, thank you for such an informative and substantive conversation. I wish success and prosperity personally for you, and for all the employees of your company. I hope that readers of our magazine will regularly receive the news about assistance to Kazakhstan medical and educational establishments from the "ExxonMobil" company.
