25 September 2020 – Rebuilding the economy through inclusive business and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) was the focus of a web forum organized by MBC and the Philippine Development Foundation (PhilDev) with the support of Australian Aid (AusAid) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). 

The forum “Impact Investing Opportunities in Crisis Time” was headlined by Kennemer Foods International founder and CEO Simmon Bakker who discussed how his inclusive agribusiness company provides livelihood opportunities, training, financing, and other assistance to its farmer-suppliers and community stakeholders. After less than a decade in operation, Kennemer says it has become the largest Philippine exporter of cocoa while pursuing a triple bottom line approach.

Messy Bessy founder and CEO Krie Reyes-Lopez shared the importance of supporting primary stakeholders, in their case their youth partners. The for-profit social enterprise seeks to rehabilitate, educate and empower at-risk young adults. 

The forum was attended by social entrepreneurs and impact investors from PhilDev’s “Innovation for Social Impact Partnership (ISIP)” network.