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UK selects PPAF as global partner
Observer Report
Islamabad—Business in the Community (BITC), a UK-based non-profit
organization and Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund (PPAF) have
joined hands to strengthen the networks of responsible corporate
sector for community-based development. The BITC which is headed by
headed by Prince Charles has selected PPAF as its “partner of
choice” through which organizations and affiliated entities of PPAF
would work together to create opportunities to participate in
programmes and acquire services from other network partners of BITC.
Partnership agreement to this effect was signed by David Halley,
Head of International Relationships, BITC, and Kamal Hyat, Chief
Executive Officer PPAF on behalf of their respective institutions
here.
The central focus of BITC is to inspire, engage, support and
challenge business in continually improving impact they have in
communities in which they are located, the environment, marketplace
and workplace through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). BITC is
a unique organization of over 800 member (multinationals with global
partners), committed to a positive impact on society. Further 3,000
companies are engaged through programmes and campaigns which operate
locally.
The “Global Partner Network” of BITC brings together 120
organizations operating in over 70 countries in Europe, Asia-Pacific
and the Americas. The flagship programmes and campaigns of BITC
include recognizing the business benefits of integrating
environmental strategy into core operations, achieving success in
business by meeting social needs, treating customers and suppliers
fairly and with respect.
It is also engaged in mobilizing its company, employees, customers
and suppliers to reduce their carbon footprint and wider
environmental impact, measuring, reporting and continuously
improving the environmental impact of operations, products and
services, using natural resources efficiently and minimizing waste,
offering innovative products and services that minimize harm to the
natural environment. PPAF is the lead institution for poverty
reduction interventions in the country. Set up as a fully autonomous
private sector institution, PPAF enjoys facilitation and support
from the Government of Pakistan, the World Bank and other
international donors.
The outreach of PPAF now extends throughout Pakistan and its
microcredit, water and community physical infrastructure, drought
mitigation, education, health and capacity building interventions
have expanded to the nook and corner of the country. PPAF carries
out its various interventions through 72 partner organizations
working in 112 districts across the country. Its cumulative
operational activities entail over 1.9 million microcred it loans
(impacting 11.4 million with 45 per cent women beneficiaries and 100
percent recovery rate), over 16,500 health, education, water and
infrastructure projects (impacting 8.3 million with 50 per cent
women beneficiaries), 238,900 trained individuals, staff and
communities (42 per cent women).
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