Sustainable BusinessRecent posts
Digital Innovation Expands Financing for Women-Led SMEs in Latin America and the Caribbean
Loans and disbursements approved in less than 24 hours, enabled by artificial intelligence, and early invoice payments powered by fintech solutions are transforming access to credit for MSMEs, especially those led by women.
Fixing the Broken Rung: How Data Can Help Advance Women’s Careers in Latin America and the Caribbean
In Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), the greatest disruption in women’s career progression occurs during the transition into managerial roles. A collaboration between IDB Invest and LinkedIn, within the framework of the Development Data Partnership, uses large-scale labor-market data to identify where women’s participation declines and what barriers exist across sectors and career stages.
Addressing gender-based violence from the private sector: the experience of Laboratorios Bagó
Francisco Méndez, CEO of the pharmaceutical company, shares his company's efforts and achievements in fostering an inclusive and safe work environment.
Best of 2015: Quinoa: more than a healthy super-food, a super solution to food security
Two years ago, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) declared 2013 the International Year of Quinoa. Before then, it was scarcely found outside of colorful Andean marketplaces except at boutique shops in the U.S. and Europe. Now, many international food companies are embracing quinoa and exporting this super-food from Andean countries like Bolivia, Peru and Ecuador.
How Haiti is becoming a leader in the quality clothing industry
By Rahul Desai, Principal Specialist, Operations Coordinator, Opportunities for the Majority at the IDB Three business leaders did what others might think is too risky and counter-intuitive. Joey Adler, the CEO of Diesel Canada and founder of the OnexOne Foundation; Richard Coles, the owner of Multiwear, one of Haiti’s leading clothing manufacturers; and Rob Broggi, a former hedge fund executive, created a company to demonstrate that Haiti is a source of higher priced, high quality apparel. This shifts away from the prevailing paradigm as being only a low-cost producer of commodity garments. In 2013 they launched Industrial Revolution II, also known as IRII, a Haiti-based garment factory that while competitive, will still invest 50% of profits into its workers and their families.
The private sector celebrates International Human Solidarity Day
December 20th marks the United Nation's International Human Solidarity Day, a day for "people from all nations, faiths, cultures and traditions to work together in common cause," according to Ban Ki-Moon. To commemorate the importance of solidarity, I wanted to share an experience that allowed my team of private sector experts to work with an indigenous community in Panama. A shared appreciation for skills-based volunteering and sustainable business facilitated the partnership.
Every watt matters: Geothermal and COP20
Latin America and the Caribbean leads the world in renewable energy. Hydropower makes up 60% of the generation matrix. Still, there is vast untapped potential for low-carbon energy development. During my current trip to the COP20 in Lima, Peru, I had a chance to focus on the long-established source of renewable energy that has yet to reach its full potential: geothermal in Latin America and the Caribbean.
Empowering Rural Women in Agriculture
* By Nancy Lee, General Manager, Multilateral Investment Fund Empowering rural women as farmers, entrepreneurs, and leaders throughout the agricultural value chain is a topic with exceptional importance for agricultural productivity, fighting poverty and food security. Earlier this month, we at the Multilateral Investment Fund (MIF) of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) Group hosted a workshop in Washington to discuss how that issue plays out in Latin American and the Caribbean. The purpose was to take a deep dive into the lessons learned from MIF projects that seek to equip and raise the incomes of these rural women.
PEDAL YOUR BIKE. 3 Rides for Sustainability. #COP20
Leaders from government, civil society and the private sector are gathered in Peru this week for the final days of the 20th session of the Conference of Parties (COP) to define the way forward on climate change. Bringing climate change to the world stage communicates the urgency of the issue. Many companies are already engaged, and some have even based their business models on green principles. Bicycles are one tool. Check out three rides for sustainability:
