The actions of today’s private companies go way beyond generating wealth for their related groups and satisfying the needs of clients and consumers. Companies are now also committed to performing their operations in an ethical manner, in keeping with society’s needs, conserving natural resources and protecting the environment they work in, because this is the only way to ensure 100% sustainable development.

However, it is no coincidence that this “modus operandi” in the world of business is now seen by American Chamber/Mexico members as one of the central pillars of company performance.  The reasoning and logic behind it are as simple as they are strategic: business today will only thrive if it plays an active role to protect society and the environment.

As President and CEO of GE in Mexico, one good illustration I can provide is that of this company which, since the very beginning, has acted with Social Responsibility in every aspect, whether inside or outside the company, and sought ways to make sure people can have a healthy planet to live on tomorrow.

This commitment goes beyond mere gestures of public charity.  It is about generating added value in different fields of the company.  Inside it, efforts focus on providing fair treatment for employees and suppliers, investing to develop talent, guaranteeing safety and wellbeing within the facilities, and monitoring transparency and integrity in legal processes, among others.  Outside the company, the emphasis is on creating a culture of environmental awareness and help for the community, which does not just mean making donations but encouraging voluntary work by members of staff as the main ambassadors of Corporate Social Responsibility.

I am proud to announce that GE’s efforts in the field of Social Responsibility have had some very good results.  An example of this is the ESR (Socially Responsible Company — acronym as given in Spanish) recognition awarded by the Mexican Center for Philanthropy, and which GE Mexico has obtained for several years now.  Another is our ground-breaking participation in the “Clean Industry” agreement executed with the Federal Environmental Protection Attorney’s Office at the beginning of 2007, to create a more environmentally-friendly culture with our suppliers and other companies in the industry.

GE, like other American Chamber/Mexico companies, including American Express Company Mexico and Merck, Sharp & Dohme, has received the ESR recognition for over five years running, for its role in building a better future for society, as well as in preparing a better society for that future.