ISLAMABAD: Business in the Community (BITC), a UK-based non-profit organisation headed by Prince Charles, and Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund (PPAF) have joined hands to strengthen the network of corporate sector for community-based development.

A ceremony was held at PPAF head office, where BITC Head of International Relationships David Halley and PPAF CEO/MD Kamal Hyat signed the partnership agreement.

The BITC has selected PPAF as its “partner of choice” through which organisations and affiliated/collaborating entities of PPAF would work together to create opportunities to participate in programmes and acquire services from other network partners of BITC.

The central focus of BITC is to inspire, engage, support and challenge business in the continually improving impact they have on communities in which they are located, the environment, marketplace and workplace through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).

The PPAF is the institution for poverty reduction interventions in the country. Set up as a fully autonomous private sector institution, PPAF enjoys facilitation and support from the Government of Pakistan, the World Bank and other international donors.

The outreach of PPAF now extends throughout Pakistan and its microcredit, water and community physical infrastructure, drought mitigation, education, health and capacity building interventions have expanded to every corner of the country.