Corporate Social Responsibility

Promoting Social Development

 

Bladex reaffirms its commitment to the social development and welfare of Latin America through opportunities aimed at generating opportunities for advancement, progress and a better quality of life. In 2011 the Bank joined the United Nations Global Compact, strengthening the work it carries out within the institution, as well as with our shareholders and the most vulnerable social groups.

The principles of the Global Compact are reflected in the initiatives the Bank has implemented, promoting an organizational culture based on values clearly defined in our code of ethics, on respect for human rights in all forms, on transparency in our business operations, and on the adoption of programs that promote greater environmental responsibility and encourage the active involvement of our employees in the social work in which we are engaged.

Community programs

Our commitment to the communities where we are privileged to do business is an essential part of our core values. Based on this premise, Bladex concentrates its efforts on programs focused mainly on children, education, culture, and the environment. The Bank launched an educational project in Panama City, where Bladex’s headquarters are located, together with the Ministry of Education and the Dominican Sisters of the Presentation, to help address the education, food and training needs, among others, of families in one of the poorest and high crime areas in the city. This led to the building by Bladex in 2003 of the Marie Poussepin Educational Center, which opened its doors in 2004 for 250 children with a primary school academic program. As a result of the school’s success, the Bank expanded the facilities to include a high school in order to accommodate a total of 800 students up to 12th grade. Bladex’s employees are actively involved in this program and work with groups of volunteers to carry out recreational and cultural activities for the students, sponsor 140 children through school scholarships, give their time to train high school students and teaching staff on financial education, and contribute funds to support the school’s psycho-pedagogical team. Bladex also supports the work carried out by over ten organizations throughout the country engaged in fostering culture, protecting the environment and broadening the educational horizon of children at social risk.

Since 2004 the Bank has been present in other countries in the Region, supporting organizations focused on children and education. In this way, we contribute to the endeavors of Fundación Wong, Ecuador; Brascri and Reciclar, Brazil; Fundación Ficohsa, Honduras; Fundación Zamora Terán, Nicaragua; and Banque de la Republique d’Haiti in the reconstruction of this sister country.

Bladex Exporter Award

The Bladex Exporter Award was created in 2008 to recognize the efforts made by Latin American companies to drive foreign trade through research, innovation and market development. Award recipients include the following companies: Farallón Aquaculture S.A., Panama; WEG, Brazil; and Agua Bendita and Aldor S.A., Colombia.

Social Responsibility Report 2011 (This document is available in spanish only)