Multinationals doing strangely decent things abroad
We all know the common stories of multinationals behaving reprehensibly in poorer countries as they exploit cheap labour and resources. Well, here's a completely different narrative drawn from http://ethipedia.net One in which a multinational partners with the champion of microcredit to make its products accessible to less fortunate populations and to ensure that it complements their dietary needs. Have a look.
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Summary:
Bangladesh is among the countries with the highest population in the world and also one of the poorest countries in Asia. In 2006, 50% of the population was living below the absolute poverty line and 9,5 million young children were suffering from a growth deficiency. Muhammad Yunus created the Grameen Bank in 1983 to find a solution to the region's socioeconomic problems. This microfinance bank’s main activity is to sell microcredit. In 2006, the Danone Group decided to back the Grameen Bank’s cause. The two launched Grameen Danone Foods, a joint venture with a social purpose. The aim was to create jobs, provide easily affordable dairy products and to protect the environment through the implementation of a unique community-based model.
Implementation:
Grameen Danone Foods implemented an innovative “business model” adjusted to the country.
♦ The product itself: the yogurt was designed to react to Bangladi children’s nutritional deficiencies, and it can be bought regularly even by the poorest families. It is produced with local cow's milk and date molasses and contains the natural calcium proteins needed for growth. It is also enriched in micronutrients, and an 80g pot sold at a price of 6 euro cents provides children with 30% of recommended daily amount of vitamin A, iron, zinc and iodine.
♦ The production line: local dairy farmers are given the micro credit to start or develop a dairy products activity and are offered Danone’s experience to improve the product’s quality. The Bogra-located factory is based on a “win-win” social model and a production line with very little machinery to favour the workforce. The delivery is managed by a door-to-door network of "Grameen Ladies", furnished by small wholesalers.
♦ The considered use of resources: the factory uses a solar water-heater, a rainwater recovery system; the yogurt containers are produced from corn starch and are entirely biodegradable.
Social and Environmental Benefits:
• Better nutrition for local residents, children in particular, helping to overcome nutritive deficiencies.
Results:
• Social and economic development of the area: investment in a new, potential market; the factory produces on average 3,000 units a year.
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