Azernews.Az

The first conference dedicated to corporate social responsibility started in Azerbaijan on Tuesday. The two-day event entitled "Invest in the Future" is taking place with the support of the country's leading cellular provider Azercell, NGO Alliance for Children's Rights and UNICEF.
Vice President of Azercell Telecom Ali Agan said in his keynote address that companies placing an emphasis on social responsibility are currently taken more seriously in the world. He said the cellular provider was working hard to gain widespread public acclaim. "Doing this work is our duty to the people…We are trying to be a company that Azeris take pride in."
He noted that besides the cellular communications sector, Azercell was investing in environmental protection, culture and other fields. The company has spent 9 million manats ($10.8m) on such programs.
The UNICEF Representative in Azerbaijan Hanaa Singer regarded the conduct of the conference as Azerbaijan's remarkable success in the area of corporate social responsibility. She said this responsibility has turned into a priority of major companies worldwide. Research has revealed that such projects increase public confidence in businesses. For instance, the majority of respondents in a recent poll conducted in the United States - 86 per cent - said they preferred goods made by companies engaged in wholesome activities and charity.
Chairman of the parliamentary commission on economic policy, Ziyad Samadzada, said part of the revenues made by major companies should definitely be spent on societal development.