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ARISE Integrated Industrial Platforms (ARISE IIP), a pan African developer of industrial ecosystems, is pleased to announce a transformative partnership with the Rainforest Alliance, an international non-profit organization working to restore the balance between people and nature for both to thrive in harmony. This partnership, led by ARISE IIP's Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) department is set to drive substantial change within ARISE IIP's business units across Africa and will lay the foundation for the development of sustainable agriculture value chains for commodities like cashew, pineapple, spices, sesame, soya, and corn.
Key objectives of the partnership include:
1. Sustainability framework: Together, ESG at ARISE IIP and the Rainforest Alliance will build a sustainability framework for the agriculture value chain across Africa. This will help ensure that African agricultural systems are more ecologically sound, economically viable, and socially responsible.
2. Certification of value chain: The partnership will work towards certifying the entire value chain, across 200k+ farmers, processing facilities, warehouses and directly connecting them to international markets.
3. Direct sourcing, tackling deforestation: ARISE IIP and the Rainforest Alliance will work together to develop a traceable ecosystem of direct sourcing and processing avoiding deforestation at origin.
4. Focus on triple bottom line: The partnership will focus on the triple bottom line; our goal is to create a low-carbon and climate resilient supply chain, enhance the livelihoods and rights of farmers, protect and enhance habitats and biodiversity, and catalyze local transformation and value addition.
Mr. Gagan Gupta, CEO of ARISE IIP, stated: "We are thrilled to embark on this transformative journey with the Rainforest Alliance. By leveraging our collective expertise, resources, and networks, we aim to create a more sustainable Agri-value chain that will benefit the people, the planet, and businesses across Africa."
Mr. Santiago Gowland, CEO at the Rainforest Alliance said: "We are delighted to join forces with ARISE and their partners to enhance outcomes for farmers, rural communities, biodiversity, and climate. Through our shared vision and concerted efforts, coupled with the Rainforest Alliance's 35 years' expertise in sustainability transformation, we aim to create a more economically viable, ecologically sound, and socially responsible value chain, benefiting Africa and its people".
Both organizations have a strong track record in driving more sustainable practices and promoting responsible business conduct. This partnership is expected to set new benchmarks for corporate social responsibility and sustainable development on the African continent, by way of job creation, increased income for farmers, greater food security, local transformation and value addition.
About ARISE IIP
ARISE Integrated Industrial Platforms (ARISE IIP) is a pan-African developer and operator of world-class industrial parks committed to making Africa thrive. We identify opportunities in commercial and industrial value chains across Africa, and conceive, finance, build and operate the necessary infrastructure, playing a catalytic role in supporting countries to transition to an industrial economy. We are driven by the pursuit of green growth; our ambition is to unlock the continent's industrial potential while neutralising our carbon emissions and climate impact. ARISE IIP is currently present in Benin (GDIZ), Togo (PIA), Gabon (GSEZ), Côte d'Ivoire (ZIC), and more. GSEZ was ranked the world's best special economic zone in the timber sector (2020 FDI ranking).
About Rainforest Alliance:
The Rainforest Alliance, an international non-profit organization, works to restore the balance between people and nature for both to thrive in harmony. Active in nearly 60 countries, its alliance brings together farm and forest communities, companies, governments, civil society, and millions of individuals to drive positive change in some of the world's critically important landscapes and global supply chains. The Rainforest Alliance implements landscape and community projects, engages in advocacy, and works to improve markets by putting farm and forest communities at the centre. In 2022, the Rainforest Alliance partnered with more than 4 million farmers and workers, and millions of consumers around the world can find the Rainforest Alliance seal on over 54,000 of their favourite products. To accelerate the speed and scale of its impact the alliance wants to reach 100 million farmers and workers by 2030.
