Inclusive business requires good understanding: Officer

AN inclusive business requires a good understanding and a collaborative effort between small block owners and exporters, says Business for Development chief operating officer Mark Matthews.
He said this during the Asia Pacific Business Forum panel discussions on the topic of inclusive business.
“Some of the aspects of what makes the success in inclusive business is first of all to find the right partnership,” Matthews said.
“It is also carefully selecting people who have the same understanding and objectives and also staying the course and building that relationship of trust and confidence.”
Reflecting on what Business for Development was doing, Matthews said: “We bring together individual farmers and collectivising them.
“This allows having a farmer-producer organisation that owns the means of production. That provides the linkage into long term sustainable business at the national and international levels.”
United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and Pacific economic affairs officer Marta Perez said: “Having inclusive business is by providing relevant goods, services or livelihood opportunities.
“Providing opportunities to make an income either through employment or through engagement as suppliers or retailers to your businesses.”
Perez said that in order to create an inclusive business and still make a profit required thinking outside the box and being innovative.
“Being inclusive goes beyond being a responsible business and going one step beyond and addressing the specific needs of the low income group of your market and being innovative,” she said.