Business can gain more from sustainable development

AT the Responsible Business Forum held in Singapore last month, the call for businesses to step up to sustainable development was loud and clear. A common theme was that businesses can do more to partner across industries, join hands with non-governmental organisations and work with the public sector.

Minister for National Development Lawrence Wong got it right when he said: "It is not just the responsibility of governments because businesses must also do their part - individuals in businesses have the moral obligation to ensure our society and economy continue to grow in a responsible way."

The clear consensus among the 700 participants was sustainability and profitability can and should go hand in hand. There are opportunities and business advantages for the private sector to do well by doing right and create "shared value" with the community. In our region, nowhere is this opportunity more obvious than in agriculture.