In the following two decades, the village-based factory developed into a multi-billion-dollar agricultural enterprise, which has been ranked among the top 500 private enterprises in China.

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And my organization, Root Capital, is financing two fair trade certified, organic cocoa enterprises, Kpeya Agricultural Enterprise and Balmed Holdings, both of which are breathing new life into the shattered countryside of Sierra Leone.

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Our enterprise support enables agricultural businesses to grow and thrive, provide agronomic training and literacy, health and other social programs, while building infrastructure in the countryside.

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We noted progress in the Maximizing Agricultural Revenue through Knowledge, Enterprise Development and Trade (MARKET), a U.S. program that directly supports the ASEAN Integrated Food Security (AIFS) framework and associated Strategic Plan of Action for Food Security (SPA-FS), emphasizing enhanced trade facilitation as well as improved farmer and policy-maker access to information, in partnership with the private sector.

WHITEHOUSE: Joint Statement of the 4th ASEAN-U.S. Leaders' Meeting