Social empowerment initiatives usually target marginalized groups, including women, minorities, and economically disadvantaged individuals, so that they can break free from cycles of oppression and discrimination. By increasing people’s societal participation, they can have access to resources and the ability to make meaningful decisions that affect one’s life. Central Retail Corporation Public Company Limited (Central Retail) takes pride and joy in enabling this through the ‘Na Muen Sri Project,’ which also won the Social Empowerment category at the Asia Responsible Enterprise Awards 2024, an event organized by the leading entrepreneurial NGO, Enterprise Asia.
In 2014, Central Retail initiated the “Na Muen Sri Project” in the Trang province, recognizing the importance of conserving the cultural heritage and contributing to local development. With a 200-year history as Thailand’s largest weaving production site, the Na Muen Sri Weaving Community struggled with the lack of systematic methods to pass down their unique hand-weaving patterns.
Both Central Retail and the Na Muen Sri community put a collaborative effort to restore the region’s distinctive weaving styles and techniques. A dedicated working team from Central Retail has been on site to source raw materials; working closely with the community, providing consultation on new product creation, and sharing the necessary business knowledge and best practices from the company’s retail expertise so the community can manage the program self-sufficiently.
Central Retail has also introduced innovative nanotechnology to enhance fabric quality, established essential mechanisms and facilities, installed product development plans, provided practical tour guide training, and facilitated consumer access by offering retail space for selling opportunities.
The “Na Muen Sri Project” generated a total of THB 67.2 million in community income between 2014 and 2023. Annual income and memberships have jumped from THB 4 million and 80 members in the first year to THB 9.1 million and 155 members in 2023, marking income growth of 127.5% and project community expansion of 93.75%, suggesting not only continual thriving income but also that more jobs were created alongside a better quality of life for the community.
With a commitment to nurture and elevate every sector for sustainable growth of Thai people and the country, Central Retail will continue to drive forward its business philosophy ‘CRC Care’. Among the seven main dimensions, ‘CRC Care: Care for Community’ demonstrates the company’s dedication to enhancing the quality of life of the local community by establishing sustainable careers and incomes as well as promoting Thai wisdom. With the great success of the ‘Na Muen Sri Project,’ which has significantly improved the life and well-being of local people in a sustainable manner, Central Retail is dedicated to empowering this community. Through these efforts, the company aims to instill principles of altruism and compassion in its employees. These actions are intended to promote long-term sustainability in the community by providing more equitable opportunities for its people.
About Enterprise Asia
Enterprise Asia is a non-governmental organization in pursuit of creating an Asia that is rich in entrepreneurship as an engine toward sustainable and progressive economic and social development within a world of economic equality. Its two pillars of existence are investment in people and responsible entrepreneurship. Enterprise Asia works with governments, NGOs, and other organizations to promote competitiveness and entrepreneurial development, uplifting the economic status of people across Asia and ensuring a legacy of hope, innovation, and courage for future generations. Please visit https://www.enterpriseasia.org/ for more information.
About Asia Responsible Enterprise Awards (AREA)
The Asia Responsible Enterprise Awards program recognizes and honors Asian businesses for championing sustainable and responsible entrepreneurship in the categories of Green Leadership, Investment in People, Health Promotion, Social Empowerment, Corporate Governance, Circular Economy Leadership, Corporate Sustainability Reporting, and Responsible Business Leadership. For more information, visit https://enterpriseasia.org/area/.
