British American Tobacco (BAT) Bangladesh received yet another international accolade, the Asia Responsible Enterprise Award 2018 (AREA) for its CSR initiative ‘Deepto’ under Green Leadership category. 

The award was handed over at the International CSR Summit 2018 held in Manila, Philippines recently. Mubina Asaf, Head of Legal & External Affairs, BAT Bangladesh received the award on behalf of the company, said a press release Tuesday (June 12). 

Incepted in 2011, ‘Deepto’ is a simple and affordable approach to utilize renewable energy to bring electricity in the off-grid areas in hill tract. Until now 2,064 solar home systems have been installed covering 23 villages of Bandarban, Khagrachari and Rangamati districts to provide electricity for the first time to more than 12,000 people. Deepto has changed the social and the economic condition of the beneficiaries and has improved their livelihood significantly. 

Mubina Asaf said, “It is a moment of great honor for BAT Bangladesh. We have been a pioneer in driving CSR initiatives in Bangladesh over four decades, since 1980. We have 3 flagship CSR programs that are aligned with 9 out of 17 UN’s SDGs and the National Goals of Bangladesh. We will continue our endeavor to give world class CSR experience to our communities in Bangladesh”. 

Asaf was one of the speakers of “Creating a Climate Resilient Business: Where Will We End” panel discussion held during the Summit.

Enterprise Asia, the awarding body, is a Non-Governmental Organization in pursuit of creating an Asia which is rich in entrepreneurship as an engine towards sustainable and progressive economic and social development within a world of economic equality. This is the third consecutive recognition to BAT Bangladesh by Enterprise Asia for the impactful contribution through CSR initiatives.

BDST: 2007 HRS, JUN 12, 2018
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