History of Carreras’ Contribution to Nation Building through its
Corporate Social Investments
Carreras’ longstanding contribution to nation building has spanned over five decades and continues to enrich and empower the lives of individuals and communities in need.Carreras been known for its support for sports primarily through the Carreras Sports Foundation, which has fostered the development of Jamaican talent and supported all categories of sports in Jamaica, and recognized outstanding achievements of Jamaicans in sports. Through the Sports Foundation, the Company sponsored events such as Premier League Football, national cricket and the Carreras Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year.
Over the past decade, the company has been aggressively changing its business strategy which has resulted in the divestment of its non-core businesses and concentrating on its tobacco operations. This has also led to a change in the focus of the Company’s corporate social investments.
In 2006, the Company undertook a Corporate Responsibility Review, whereby the Company had dialogue with all key stakeholders within the society to understand their expectations of us as a company, operating in a highly controversial industry.
In dialouge, stakeholders advised on how the company can meaningfully impact society through engaging in relevant corporate social investments. Some of the recommendations made were:
- To continue providing assistance in programmes geared towards reducing crime and violence.
- To continue providing support for educational and skills based training projects geared towards adult population
- Establish a Youth Smoking Prevention Programme- which the Company implements in all the outlets it directly sells its products
- Continue to support Drug rehabilitation programmes.
Carreras remains committed to addressing and implementing these initiatives, reflected in some of our annual contributions to: the Jamaica Constabulary Force in its fight against crime and violence, Rise Life Management Services’ Drug Rehabilitation Programme, The Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts and empowering through education by offering several academic scholarships to students at all major tertiary institutions islandwide.
