|
Corporate Social Responsibility
The SouthAsia Enterprise Development Facility (SEDF), an International Finance Corporation (IFC)-managed multi-donor facility, is committed to promoting Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) as part of its mandate. The IFC defines CSR as the commitment of businesses to contribute to sustainable economic development by working with employees, their families, the local community and society at large to improve their lives in ways that are good for business and for development.
|
CSR can be implemented through a number of interfaces between businesses and the society at large, which include the workplace, the marketplace, in the community and in the environment. SEDF has already established Knowledge Centers in Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan. In addition to providing IT-based support for Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) development, these Knowledge Centers serve as the hub for dissemination of CSR-related information. A comprehensive action plan is being developed by the SEDF to promote and implement CSR practices throughout its mandated region. |
 |
In October 2004, SEDF organized a training program on Competitive Business Advantage with 32 participants from 9 banks in Bangladesh. This training program was arranged in partnership with the Environment and Social Department of the IFC and highlighted the advantages of incorporating CSR into lending decisions.
SEDF will target the following areas:
- Bridging the knowledge gap by identifying CSR-related constraints, opportunities and priorities.
- Extending support through training on the Environmental Management System, Best Management Practices and Occupational Health & Safety, as well as community-based initiatives.
- Building partnerships with other donors, the government, SMEs, Business Membership Organizations, Non Government Organizations and academia.
- Initiating pilot schemes which promote existing successful programs.
- Linking up with global initiatives.
|
|
|
