French minister backs social business

Martin Hirsch, French high commissioner for active solidarity against poverty, has said the concept of 'social business' should be disseminated worldwide to alleviate poverty.
"We have learned lots of things from Bangladesh, which will help us disseminate the idea to France and the rest of Europe," said Hirsch after visiting the social business activities of Grameen Bank in Bangladesh.
Hirsch made the comments at a dinner hosted by Yunus Centre at Heritage Restaurant in Dhaka on Sunday. Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus also attended the dinner.
Hirsch -- well-known for his work with the poor -- holds a cabinet member post created by French President Nicolas Sarkozy.
Speaking to a group of reporters, Hirsch said more French companies would be encouraged to operate in social business in Bangla-desh.
Grameen Group and Groupe Danone, a French company, entered into a joint venture and set up a nutritious yoghurt project in Bogra in 2008.
Hirsch and his wife were accompanied by a 36-strong delegation from France on a three-day visit to Bangladesh.
The purpose of the visit is to learn more about social business and Grameen Bank activities in Bangladesh.
During his visit, Hirsch and his delegation met with Yunus and visited the Grameen-Danone factory in Bogra.