Senior business executives are being brought face to face with
community issues in Asian countries thanks to Crossing Borders, a new
initiative from the International Business Leaders’ Forum (IBLF).
The executives are being shown how business-supported projects are
aiding development in local communities and how the challenges are
benefiting the businesses involved.
The IBLF aims to organize and report on visits by at least 50 business
leaders during the first year of the programme. It will produce a
publication detailing the visits and emphasizing good practice and
learning. In Indonesia Kevan Watts, chairman of Merrill Lynch
International, has become one of the first executives to become
involved, visiting a noodle maker, part of the Bogasari Flour Mills
Micro Enterprise Scheme, to learn about the social and economic
benefits of small enterprises in less developed parts of the community
and their potential to close the ‘development gap’.
In India, Neville Isdall, Coca-Cola’s chairman and chief executive, has
visited a primary health centre and school in Dhaulana, supported by
his company’s plant in Dasna. He saw at first hand the impact of the
centre and school on the community and the benefits of the relationship
to the company and the community.
