14-16 September. Prosperity Initiative’s Business and Investment Manager, Vien Kim Cuong, recently attended the 2009 Agriculture Outlook Asia Conference in Singapore.

The annual conference provides a forum for those working in agri-business to exchange information on many major issues facing Asia’s agricultural sector today, including climate change, food supply shortages in the face of increased global population and underinvestment in agriculture. A number of solutions to such issues were also discussed, such as improving technology, supporting farmers and improving productivity.

Mr. Cuong presented on Prosperity Initiative’s experience working with bamboo businesses in Viet Nam and Lao PDR as well as Prosperity Initiative’s work in southern Viet Nam in the coconuts subsector. As most of the conference participants are directly involved in farming, Prosperity Initiative stood out as an organization supporting poverty reduction by working with businesses. It was also a unique opportunity to network with potential investors for targeted investment in Viet Nam.