The latest addition to the list of companies from Turkey which have announced their committment to the principles of the UN Global Compact is Eczacıbaşı Holding.

In a letter addressed to Secretary-General Kofi Annan in early May, President and CEO Dr. Erdal Karamercan expressed his intent, on behalf of the 37 companies and 8,000 employees of Eczacıbaşı Holding to support and advance the 10 principles of the Global Compact in respect to human rights, labour rights, protection of the environment and anti-corruption. Karamercan said, “We commit to making the Global Compact and its principles part of the strategy, culture and day-to-day operations of our company and undertake to make a clear statement of this committment both to our employees, partners, clients and to the public.”

Eczacıbaşı is a prominent Turkish industrial group with a combined net turnover close to $ 2.6 billion, 37 companies and more than 8,000 employees. Eczacıbaşı's core sectors are pharmaceuticals, building materials and consumer products. The Group is also active in finance, information technology and welding technology. In Turkey, Eczacıbaşı is the leader in eight of its 13 manufacturing industries, including pharmaceuticals, ceramic sanitary ware, tissue paper and personal care products. It also has the most extensive distribution coverage, reaching over 90 percent of the nation's sales points. Recently their tissue paper company Ipek Kagit-Solo was awarded with the World Business Award for their project on personal hygiene at schools.

Currently, more than 50 Turkish companies have pledged to adhere to the principles of the Global Compact.

For more information on the Global Compact: www.unglobalcompact.org