2023 in numbers

In 2023, a number of our investments ended, many of which had an important and lasting impact on their region. For example:

• Puratos Grand Place Vietnam, a local cocoa and chocolate processing company, that – also thanks to BIO’s investment - integrated its local value chain thus replacing the importation of raw material required for the chocolate-making process. Puratos supports over 1,500 smallholder farmers, providing them with decent revenues and specialized training.
• Société de Cultures Légumières, northern Senegal's horticulture leader, produces, packages and exports fresh vegetables to the UK during its winter season. BIO supported the 2013’s land expansion project concerning 690 ha to produce sweet corn, sweet potatoes, and butternut. SCL is also a major job creator, improving lives and fostering skills development in the region.
• Banco Solidario is a leading microfinance player in Ecuador. Thanks to BIO’s investment, it successfully increased its microenterprise portfolio, that now represents 55% of total outstanding loan portfolio. By providing non-financial services to MSMEs such as trainings and technical assistance, Banco Solidario equips these businesses with the necessary skills while contributing to the local economic development.
• Banco Guayaquil, an Ecuadorian universal bank committed to financial inclusion. BIO's investment contributed to the growth of the SME portfolio and to the development of green businesses financing and energy efficiency projects. Banco Guayaquil has made reaching rural clients a priority through their 'Banco del Barrio' initiative aimed at reaching clients in underserved areas through 20,000 attention points across Ecuador.