February 25, 2004   -- Corporate social responsibility by PSO to bridge the digital divide in Pakistan:

United Nations Industrial Development Organization and Pakistan State Oil, the oil-marketing leader in Pakistan , announced the signing of a MoU under the United NationsGlobal Compact Initiative in Pakistan. UNIDO in partnership with PSO will improve managerial capacities in marginalized sectors of the Pakistan economy in promoting technology based-learning training program in key Pakistani institutions like hospitals, schools, local Councils, NGOs, community boards, etc to enhance their efficiency and self-sustainability. 400 + certification level IT and Professional Development courses are being offered through an elearning portal which are easily accessible from any location in the country with a via Customized Branded Scratch Cards.

10,000 elearning scratch cards have been sponsored by PSO for Pakistan . Upon successful completion of the course, end-users are awarded with a certificate of achievement. Distribution of the cards is free of cost through PSO dealer network all over Pakistan . The Parties declare their conviction that the MoU will lead to spearheading the long life learning culture among professionals and managers in Pakistan , which will lead to a better utilization of national resources and the overall improvement of the competitiveness of the productive and service sector in the region, and express their best intentions to carry to a successful conclusion the implied tasks.

In this dynamic and competitive economic environment workforce development and Skills acquisition is vital for an economy to compete and grow, particularly in an era of economic integration and technological change. Skill needs are widespread in most developing countries and can help nations; regions and communities improve economic growth, reduce poverty and achieve sustainable development. A natural complement to competitiveness and trade promotion strategies, workforce and skills development can help make education more responsive to economic needs. They can help developing countries reduce high levels of youth unemployment; and restore productive economies in countries emerging from conflict. To this end UNIDO and PSO have signed this MoU.

At the ceremony Dr Chanduvi-Suarez talked about the significance of this MOU and that it is in line with the UNIDO mandate to help countries pursue sustainable industrial development for wealth creation. UNIDO focusing its assistance on developing countries and countries with economies in transition promotes on three levels: Competitive Economy - Greater industrial efficiency and economic development, Sound Environment - An environmental sounder industry and Productive Employment - Better employment opportunities in industry. He explained that E-learning (Web-based training) has become a frequent HRD alternative in large Corporations, but this development has not yet cascaded down to local organisations in Developing Countries due to their relative high-entry costs. Leveraging their global reach to billions of prospects in 133 Developing Countries; ICWFD has managed to negotiate extraordinary pricing. The same Hi-end Information Technology and Professional Development courses that are available for hundreds of US Dollars in Industrial countries will now be available for just a few US Dollars to the underprivileged globally, He also highlighted the fact that in January1999, the UN Secretary-General challenged business leaders to join an international initiative – the Global Compact – that would bring companies together with UN agencies, labor and civil society to support it in the areas of human rights, labor and the environment. Through the power of collective action, the Global Compact seeks to advance responsible corporate citizenship so that business can be part of the solution to the challenges of globalization.

In this way, the private sector – in partnership with other social actors – can help realize the Secretary-General’s vision: a more sustainable and inclusive global economy.www.unglobalcompact.org. With the above in view, UNIDO Pakistan is providing an opportunity to Pakistani companies to show “social commitment and responsible corporate citizenship” and work in addressing educational, environmental and social issues of Pakistan while reaping some of the following benefits:

	Leveraging the UN's global reach and convening power with governments, business, civil society and other stakeholders.
	Accessing the UN's broad knowledge in development issues and its practical reach worldwide.
	Enhanced sharing good practices and learning.
	Leveraging local Marketing and PR activities, as the sponsorship will benefit of a tax write-off.
	Improved Corporate Social Responsibility Image and Reputation among Customers, Suppliers and Employees!

Addressing the gathering at the signing of the MoU, Mr. Tariq Kirmani the Managing Director of PSO said “The competitive nature of the global economy and digital divide pose a great challenge which can be tackled only with skilled human resources. While the advent of the Internet, and Information and Communication Technology (ICT) links.

People around the world, it has ironically broadened the gap between the "haves" and the "have-nots". Our nation is trying to find its rightful place in the global competition, and we all know this path is arduous and we can only succeed if our education system remains committed to our vision of producing talented young graduates with cutting-edge skills. Empowerment is the essence of bridging the digital divide and by providing such opportunities to all segments of society; we can make Pakistan into a genuine stakeholder in building a rational and stable social order.”

He further observed: “ Pakistan has a dismal literacy rate of 38 percent, shortage of expert teachers, good curriculum, high expense and poor bandwidth are the main problems hindering quality ICT skills in Pakistan . This programme is an outstanding example of addressing all the above issues. Corporate partnerships are a vital component of community collaboration to strengthen education and because our future employees are students today and in reaching out to them now, we will continue to strengthen our ability to attract and recruit the very best later. This MoU will enable us to link our network of country wide Petrol Stations together to deliver the much needed skills to the nation’s youth.”

Pakistan State Oil (PSO) is the oil market leader in Pakistan enjoying 79% share of Black Oil market and 59% share of White Oil market. It is engaged in import, storage, distribution and marketing of various POL products, including Mogas, HSD,

Fuel Oil, Jet Fuel, Kerosene, LPG, CNG and petro-chemicals. This blue chip company, the winner of "Karachi Stock Exchange Top Companies Award" and a member of World Economic Forum, has been a popular topic of case studies in Pakistan and abroad based on its radical corporate turnaround over the last few years.