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Sustainable development policy a first for Vietnam
A Swiss-Vietnamese joint venture is the nation’s first cement company to announce a sustainable production policy.
Holcim Vietnam, formerly Sao Mai Cement, said on Tuesday its new sustainable production and development policy, which will be overseen by a special division, was designed to ensure the company acted responsibly towards Vietnam’s society, environment and its local workforce.
The policy focuses on five principles: to conserve energy and power; respect the environment; develop young labor; optimize conditions for better health; and ensure safe working conditions, according to a statement.
“With sustainable development in our core business policy, we want to develop more value for our shareholders and more success to our business,” said Holcim head of Sustainable Development Division Nguyen Cong Minh Bao.
Bao said Holcim was also supporting a US$1 million project run by the International Union for Conservation of Nature to restore the ecosystem of a limestone mountain in Kien Giang Province previously mined by the cement company.
The firm is financing 80 percent of the cost between now and 2012 and is also providing experts to the project, said Bao. Holcim Vietnam has an annual budget of US$90,000 to finance other projects that support local communities, environment and employees.
Thanhnien
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