Corporate Social Responsibility in SAARC Countries: A Study on Commercial Banks

Abstract

It is needless to mention that there is great potential area for regional cooperation among south Asian nations. Since the formation of the South Asian Association of Regional Cooperation (SAARC) in the year 1985 discussion form time to time for future cooperation among them has taken place. The scope of regional cooperation had been identified in twelve areas: (i) agriculture; (ii) health and rural development; (iii) meteorology; (iv) telecommunication; (v) postal services; (vi) transport; (vii) scientific and technological development; (viii) sports; (ix) art and culture; (x) prevention of drug trafficking and abuse; (xi) women and development and (xii) education. This paper attempts to focus upon how and what way Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) practices are being discharged by the banking sector of the countries involved in the SAARC. The study based on secondary data. Secondary data have been collected from different published sources. The study observed that there is a similarity among SAARC countries sectors of national involvements of CSR initiatives. By CSR activities, every bank has ensured social development. The study recommended that banks should extend their CSR activities in less privileged areas rather than concentrate in resource rich areas.

Keywords: Commercial Bank, Corporate Social responsibility and SAAR

DOI: 10.7176/EJBM/11-3-14