Banks need own strategy to augment CSR activities

Banks have to devise their own CSR strategy in line with CSR guidelines prescribed by the Bangladesh Bank since engagement of banks in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities have been increasing steadily in depth and diversity over last few years.

Speakers said this while inaugurating a training programme for CSR desk officers of banks on CSR Guideline of Bangladesh Bank organised by Manage­ment and Resources Development Initiative (MRDI) in partnership with the central bank.

Appreciating the CSR activities of banks, Deputy Governor of Bangladesh Bank Shitangshu Kumar Sur Chowdhury called upon the banks to develop their CSR strategy to have a focused impact on the targeted community that would ultimately contribute to the banks' profitability.

He hoped that organizations like MRDI would extend technical assistance to the banks in developing CSR strategies.

MRDI's Executive Director Hasibur Rahman in his address of welcome focused on cost efficiency of need based CSR interventions. An effective partnership between banks and NGOs in implementing CSR programmes can produce sustainable results and make a visible positive change in the target community, he said.

Aimed at developing capacity of CSR desk officers on Bangladesh Bank CSR guideline, the two day training programme will cover discussions on CSR Strategy in the banking sector; cost-benefit analysis and sustainability of CSR; Bank-CSO partnership for a sustainable CSR implementation; responsibilities of CSR desk officers; indicative guidelines for CSR allocation and SRO on CSR tax exemption. Academics and experts will facilitate the sessions as resource persons.

CSR desk officers of 24 banks are participating in the first batch of the training. Training for the second batch will be held shortly.