Global Social Responsibility Confce to be held today

The Global Social Responsibility Conference, organised by Bangladesh-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BGCCI), is going to be held today (Thursday) at Radisson Blu Water Garden Hotel in the city.
Announcing this at a press meet, BGCCI President Sakhawat Abu Khair said the conference themed 'Shareholder Value versus Social Responsibility' will focus on shared responsibility among the stakeholders.
The press meet was held at the German House in the city on Wednesday.
Deutsche GesellschaftfürInternationaleZusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH is cooperating with BGCCI with the support from the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, German Embassy in Dhaka and TUV Rhineland.
This is the third edition of the conference after two previous successful conferences which were held in 2010 and 2013.
BGCCI Executive Director Daniel Seidl and Coordinator of PSES (Promotion of Social and Environmental Standards in the Industry) programme of GIZ Bangladesh Magnus Schmid were also present at the meet.
Top business managers, politicians, industry experts and media personnel from Germany, Europe and Bangladesh will join the panel discussions to promote the best practices of sustainable development.
Deniel Seidl said since the last decade Bangladesh has experienced economic progress with a growth of approximately 6.0 per cent thanks to increase in investments in various industrial sectors mainly attracted by low labour costs.
Textile, agribusiness, construction and service sectors were the sectors most impacted by the development.
He said Bangladesh is now facing enormous challenges in relation to water contamination, energy shortage, waste and social protection issues which, if not timely and properly addressed, will undermine its growth path and result in potential harm towards society and the environment.
"The conference will include the discussions on ready-made garment and fire safety, leather industry, environment, social protection of workers and technical and vocational education and training," said Deniel Seidl.
He said it will provide a platform for dialogue between European and American companies and their Bangladeshi counterparts.
Sakhawat Abu Khair said Rana Plaza collapse was one of the biggest industrial disasters in the world and it should be discussed now as to how to tackle such incidents in future.
He also said leather sector in Bangladesh has enormous potential to be the leading global player.
The conference will include keynote presentations and panel discussions on RMG & Fire Safety, Leather Industry, Environment, Social Protection of Workers and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET).
"The 3rd Global Social Responsibility Conference is about changing the mindset and setting the green foot forward to attain a better, greener and more responsible tomorrow," Mr Khair told the press.
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