The Philippine Case Study on Inclusive Business (IB) was recently (September 1, 2016) released by the G20 Global Platform on IB (GPIB).

Published by the GPIB through its website www.g20inclusivebusiness.org, the Philippine case study was released along with similar studies on Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Germany, Italy and Sweden.

The Philippine Case Study on IB highlights policy motivations, key players and synergies, institutional coordination mechanisms, challenges, and key recommendations for governments to create an enabling environment for IB models to thrive. The case study also presents the Philippines’ key initiatives in the IB space, such as IB inclusion in the Philippine Board of Investments’ 2014-2016 Investment Priorities Plan (IPP) and IB accreditation work for three initial sectors–agribusiness, housing and tourism.

The G20 Country Case Study Series on IB aims to illustrate the role of government in encouraging companies to adopt inclusive practices, which engage the poor at the heart of their business operations. The case studies also provide information on varying approaches, motivations, challenges and recommendations for policymakers to promote IB. The initiative is supported by the World Bank Group – International Finance Corporation (IFC) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

Further to the government’s thrust to alleviate poverty through an Angat Lahat approach that pushes for more IB models and Social Enterprises to sustainably tighten the link of small community enterprises into the value chain of big businesses, BOI has taken IB under its wing and is currently exploring opportunities to encourage businesses to engage in IB.

Among its initiatives, BOI, through its proposed 2017-2019 IPP is considering incentives for companies that integrate the poor in their core business operations, and providing recognition for exemplary and innovative IB models with concrete social impact.