Investing in Social Enterprise
We see investment into social enterprise ventures as a powerful way of promoting local economic development. We identify promising projects and evaluate their potential to provide job opportunities, train and equip locals with new skills and earn profit in a meaningful way.
Agriculture in Cambodia
The Cambodian economy has enjoyed consistent economic growth since the turn of the century, largely as a result of growth in garment manufacturing and agriculture. Increased returns from agriculture between 2004-2011 during the commodity price boom saw one million net jobs created in agriculture (1). Many locals continue to farm as a form of self subsistence and commercial farming remains a viable and profitable venture.
Takeo Farm Project
In 2016, we partnered with a local NGO (SCCDO) to finance a small farming business in the Takeo province. The purpose of this project was threefold:
-
Support the local economy of Takeo.
-
Employ and train locals in farming techniques.
-
Secure an independent source of income for SCCDO.
Six years later, it's a self-sufficient business, providing food to SCCDO, as well as locals in the Takeo province.
(1) World Bank Group, 2017, Cambodia, Report No. 115189-KH.
