Bahrain firms 'to pay for community projects'.

Byline: Manama

Companies in Bahrain could soon be forced to pay for community projects that the government is unable to fund.

The Responsibility Towards The Community initiative is due to be discussed tomorrow at a meeting of all five municipal councils.

It has been proposed by the Northern Municipal Council and could lead to a major increase in the amount of money being pumped into the community by the private sector, said a report in the Gulf Daily News, our sister newspaper.

Northern Municipal Councillor Yousif Rabea'a said some companies already had their own social responsibility schemes, but argued such initiatives should be compulsory for 'major' firms.

'We thank major private sector firms for donating to the community, but that shouldn't just be something they do as charity,' said Rabea'a, who is the council's services and public utilities committee chairman.

'It should be a responsibility they have to bear.

'This why a new initiative has been proposed and that's obliging major companies to support a project for the community from a list of urgent projects that the government is unable to fund.

'At first we wanted to carry out this scheme in the Northern Governorate, but other councillors were enthusiastic about the idea and this is why we are inviting all to discuss how it should be done.'

He said the definition of companies that would be considered 'major' would be discussed tomorrow, but added that it could relate to the size of their workforce or their profits.

'It is still unclear how many projects companies would be obliged to build,' he added.

'For example, every 10 years they could have to build one project or every year. This will be under study too.'

According to the proposal, companies would be able to choose which projects to fund from a list drawn up by the relevant council.

Such projects could include walkways, public parks, housing, monuments or the beautification of roads and neighbourhoods.

However, any project financed by a company would carry its name.

'The public facility will be a good advertisement for the contributing company, considering that its name would be used by people when referring to the project,' said Rabea'a.

He claimed the scheme was needed because the amount of private sector money being pumped into local communities in the Gulf was far less than in other parts of the world.

'Every contribution here is seen as a donation and not as an obligation,' he said.

'For example, a company that exploits marine resources should be asked to set up a public aquarium, while another company that harms the environment should build a public park.'

Tomorrow's meeting is taking place at the Northern Municipal Council, Saar.- TradeArabia News Service

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