The Corporate Social Responsibility Award 2012 (CRS Award 2012) kicked off on August 27 in Hanoi , to honour outstanding businesses gaining achievements in their operation, as well as in protecting the environment in the period 2010-2012.

The award was launched by the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) in conjunction with the Ministry of Planning and Investment, Ministry of Industry and Trade, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, and other related ministries and agencies.

Pham Thi Thu Hang, VCCI General Secretary said, this year’s award is held in the context of an ongoing global economic recession. Businesses should consider this as an opportunity to enhance their competitiveness through improving both working and living conditions for their workers, as well as protecting the environment.

Florian Beranek, Chief Technical Advisor of the United Nations Industrial Development (UNIDO)-VCCI CSR project, asserted that the award will recognise businesses having a comprehensive view on their social responsibilities and putting these CSR principles into their daily operations.

The award, launched for the first time in 2005, will be implemented by the Business Office for Sustainable Development and Business Council for Sustainable Development, in coordination with the project of supporting small and medium enterprises in raising awareness of and practising their social responsibility.

Businesses can register to join the award until the end of November. Evaluating processes and assessment criteria can be found on the website www.sd4b.vn/dondangky.-VNA