Living together happily, sustainably: How big businesses strike a balance

These points were brought up in discussion by representatives of three business giants on stage. 

Wuthichai Sithipreedanant, senior vice president of corporate social responsibility and sustainable development for Charoen Pokphand Foods (CPF), said his company closely follows the steps laid by the government for its Bio-Circular-Green (BCG) Model. He explained that following this model also helps CPF take care of communities it works in sustainably. 

A concrete management plan that sees employees participating in social projects that benefit communities is also an important mechanism that links the private sector, communities and civil society, he said. This link-up, he added, helps boost incomes, improve healthcare provisions and introduces sustainable growth in communities. 

Worrawat Sriyook, vice president of corporate sustainability at Mitr Phol Group, said: “The group has been working with sugarcane farmers for a long time under the philosophy of ‘Prosper Together’, in which Mitr Phol gives importance to both farmers and surrounding communities. 

“Building a sustainable community is not about giving the community everything it wants, but finding what it really needs and collaborating with partners to develop farmers and communities to grow sustainably.”

The Isan BCG Expo 2022 was held jointly by the Khon Kaen Innovation Centre, Mitr Phol Group and 50 alliances from the private and public sectors from December 9 to 12. 

This was yet another effort to transform Thailand’s least economically developed region into an Asean trade hub through the BCG Model.

Chanon Posayajinda, managing director of Khon Kaen Brewery, said sustainability can be viewed on many levels. 

Khon Kaen Brewery is a subsidiary of Boon Rawd Brewery, which produces Singha beer. 

“Sustainability depends on each company’s viewpoint, but for us, we see that we are in the beverage industry that sets up factories in different regions. 

“We will always look at the community as a part of us. How do we get the community to believe that we have come to create prosperity and change? How do we show them that we’re not there to hurt their lives or the environment?

“They must be made to understand that we are not going to steal resources from them,” he said. 

“Water is an important raw material for the Singha Group because we make beer and water. So, what can we do to stop the community from believing we are stealing their water? Hence, when setting up factories, we put in place policies to show that communities and the environment must live together 

happily and sustainably,” Chanon said.

“Locals are shown how the brewery recycles wastewater by using it in cultivation or in a brewery-owned golf course. 

“As for pollution, both dust and smell, we invite the locals to come and witness the production process so we can all live happily together.” 

Numpol Limprasert, Siam Cement Group (SCG)’s adviser for sustainable development, also spoke about running large businesses alongside communities. 

“You need to understand what sustainable development really means. In the past, we had to meet the needs of shareholders, but now we must answer to stakeholders, which are communities. 

“Communities are important for SCG because we have factories scattered all over the country and there are communities around the factory. We need to balance our economy, environment and society.”

The management of natural resources within the community is also important, and companies should ensure they do not have an adverse impact, he said. 

Instead, Numpol said, companies should devise a cost-effective management system and reuse resources for maximum benefit. 

Businesses, nowadays, do not just look at profits but also at social and environmental aspects, he added. 

Hence, he said, sustainable community development means striking a balance between the economy, society and environment within the community.

The Khon Kaen Innovation Centre, Mitr Phol Group, and 50 alliance networks from both public and private sectors joined forces to host the Isaan BCG Expo 2022. The event aimed to facilitate the transformation of Thailand's largest region into a hub for economic growth in ASEAN, utilizing the BCG model. The collaboration brought together a diverse range of experts and stakeholders, all committed to uplifting the Thai economy and unlocking its full potential. With the Isaan BCG Expo 2022 serving as a platform for innovation and collaboration, participants were able to explore new opportunities and forge valuable partnerships that will drive progress and prosperity in the years to come.