KATHMANDU, September 5: Unilever CEO Paul Polman arrived in Nepal on Monday to participate in 25th-anniversary celebration of Unilever Nepal Limited (UNL).
Polman is accompanied by Executive Vice-President of Unilever South Asia, Sanjiv Mehta, and Unilever Nepal Chairman Pradeep Banerjee.
According to a statement issued by the UNL, the visit of Unilever CEO demonstrates Unilever's commitment to local business and the people of Nepal.
Unilever Nepal celebrating 25th anniversary this week
Speaking at a program in Kathmandu, Polman has reaffirmed that the company would continue to step up its capital investment in the country by enhancing its local manufacturing capacity. “It is our endeavor to further strengthen our business in Nepal and continue to deliver consistent, competitive, profitable and responsible growth,” he added
On the occasion, Polman launched Fair & Lovely Foundation in partnership with Maiti Nepal - a non-government organization -- to provide scholarship for 10 underprivileged 2-year Intermediate level students per year.
“In addition to this, women from Maiti Nepal will be provided vocational training to take up job opportunities in UNL's value chain,” UNL said in the statement.
Polman will also visit Maiti Nepal during his two-day stay in Nepal.
The visiting CEO said that the company's model for sustainable growth is to combine value with values - to do well by doing good. “We will keep striving to create a better and brighter tomorrow -- not just for our shareholders but for every stakeholder across our value chain,” he added.
Unilever Nepal has one manufacturing unit and four co-packing units in Nepal. The company provides direct employment to 243 people and indirectly to more than 20,000 people across the value chain, according to the company. Likewise, it also has been implementing different Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programs, reaching to a large section of people.
“The biggest impact Unilever Nepal has made is through its purpose-driven brands that aim to improve health and wellbeing and enhance livelihoods under the initiative called 'Swastha and Saksham Nepal' (healthy & capable Nepal),” the statement added.
Likewise, Lifebuoy's 'Help a Child Reach 5' program aims at improving health and wellbeing by inculcating the habit of handwashing with soap and water at key occasions. “The simple act of handwashing with soap has been cited as one of the most cost-effective solutions to prevent infections. Through 'Lifebuoy Help a Child Reach 5' program, we have reached 10% of the population,” added the statement.
Polman also intends to meet Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba during his visit, according to the statement.
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