Veracel and UNDP sign agreement for review of the socio-economic impact of the plant - 06.09.04

The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and Veracel Celulose signed an agreement for a socio-economic impact review of the business in the nine municipalities where the company operates. The objective is to provide subsides for the elaboration of a Local Development Plan to be financed by Veracel and carried out by UNDP itself, to the benefit of the municipalities of the region. “We believe in the success of this partnership. We have done a lot in our region, but we are now seeking for guidance to become an even more socially responsible company. It will certainly be a positive experience to all involved that will benefit the local population in particular”, said Vitor Costa, Chairman of Veracel.

The project will benefit the municipalities: Belmonte, Canavieiras, Eunápolis, Guaratinga, Itabela, Itagimirim, Itapebi, Porto Seguro and Santa Cruz Cabrália, and shall start up on Monday, date of signature of the agreement. The intention is to straiten relationships among Veracel and other local investors and to identify the key socio-economic aspects of the region. Thereafter, new initiatives, operations and partnerships that enable the overall development of the municipalities will be suggested.

The basis of the work will be a demographic and socio-economic data survey in the communities surrounding the business, taking into account the Human Development Index (HDI), the tax revenue receipts and the presence of Veracel in the region.

The decision by Veracel to request UNDP cooperation was motivated by previous experiences of the agency in undertaking human sustainable development projects. The United Nations Development Program, active in 166 countries, has the poverty eradication as its main objective. In Brazil, its work basically includes the environmental management and its use in a sustainable and clean manner. Based on the agreement, UNDP will carry out technical and institutional reviews of the municipalities influenced by the company, taking into account citizens, governmental agencies, organized civil society institutions, NGOs, Veracel, its suppliers, clients and shareholders.

In order to ensure quality in the monitoring and review of project’s activities, a committee including representatives of both parties will be established. The committee will evaluate progress of the program, efficacy of the methodology adopted and results obtained.

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