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> <channel><title>Clinton Giustra Sustainable Growth Initiative (Canada)</title> <atom:link href="http://cgsgi.ca/feed/" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" /><link>http://cgsgi.ca</link> <description>Clinton Giustra Sustainable Growth Initiative (Canada)</description> <lastBuildDate>Fri, 27 Apr 2012 16:48:29 +0000</lastBuildDate> <language>en</language> <sy:updatePeriod>hourly</sy:updatePeriod> <sy:updateFrequency>1</sy:updateFrequency> <generator>http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1</generator> <item><title>Raises US$1 Million from the Pacific Rubiales Colombia Championship for Projects in Colombia</title><link>http://cgsgi.ca/2012/03/raises-us1-million-from-the-pacific-rubiales-colombia-championship-for-projects-in-colombia/</link> <comments>http://cgsgi.ca/2012/03/raises-us1-million-from-the-pacific-rubiales-colombia-championship-for-projects-in-colombia/#comments</comments> <pubDate>Fri, 09 Mar 2012 22:51:01 +0000</pubDate> <dc:creator>admin</dc:creator> <category><![CDATA[Press Releases]]></category> <guid
isPermaLink="false">http://cgsgi.ca/?p=285</guid> <description><![CDATA[Proceeds to Support CGSGI’s Job Creation and Economic Development Projects throughout Colombia Vancouver, British Columbia (March 9, 2012) &#8211; The Clinton Giustra Sustainable Growth Initiative (Canada) (CGSGI), is pleased to announce that US$1 million was raised as a result of being the main beneficiary of the Pacific Rubiales Colombia Championship presented by Samsung. The golf [...]]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><p><strong>Proceeds to Support CGSGI’s Job Creation and Economic Development Projects throughout Colombia</strong></p><p><strong>Vancouver, British Columbia (March 9, 2012)</strong> &#8211; The Clinton Giustra Sustainable Growth Initiative (Canada) (CGSGI), is pleased to announce that US$1 million was raised as a result of being the main beneficiary of the Pacific Rubiales Colombia Championship presented by Samsung. The golf tournament, which took place in Bogotá, Colombia the week of February 13-19, is one of the country’s largest golf events and being the first in the calendar year it is highly anticipated by many in the golfing community. The funds raised from this tournament will be applied to CGSGI’s current and new development projects in Colombia. Jose Francisco Arata, President and CEO of Pacific Rubiales Energy, said that “each year Pacific Rubiales chooses a charity whose dedicated work and commitment serve to improve the lives of Colombian people. The money raised through golf entry fees and sponsorships is donated to the chosen charity. Over the past three years we have raised in excess of US$2 million. This year has been our best year to date, as we are donating US$1 million to support CGSGI’s efforts in Colombia. This event served to demonstrate, on a global stage, the progressive investment climate and the value of investing in our country in both private and public sector initiatives.”</p><p>Frank Giustra, Founder of the Clinton Giustra Sustainable Growth Initiative (Canada), “wishes to thank Pacific Rubiales and all those who generously supported and contributed to this event. CGSGI values our long-term alliance with Pacific Rubiales, as they share in our vision of decreasing the wealth gap and increasing employment opportunities for disadvantaged populations. Partnerships similar to this enable us to leverage our resources and increase the impact of our work to benefit disadvantaged populations in Colombia and elsewhere in South America.”</p></div><div><p><strong>ABOUT THE CLINTON GIUSTRA SUSTAINABLE GROWTH INITIATIVE (CANADA)<br
/> </strong>The Clinton Giustra Sustainable Growth Initiative (Canada) [CGSGI (Canada)] is a registered Canadian charity established in 2007 by philanthropist Frank Giustra. Our mission is to alleviate poverty, improve health care, advance education, and improve the environment in developing nations. CGSGI (Canada) is funded by a $100 million pledge from Mr. Giustra, as well as by the generosity of individual and corporate donors. CGSGI (Canada) partners with organizations that carry out poverty alleviation projects in South America on our behalf. In partnership with the William J. Clinton Foundation, we support projects that focus on market-driven development that creates jobs and increases incomes, and on strengthening factors that enable economic growth, such as health and education. Monitoring and evaluation techniques and tools are an integral part of our results-based program planning and management. CGSGI (Canada) oversees project implementation and, together with our partners, we closely track the progress of all programs through data collection and analysis. CGSGI (Canada) currently supports programs in Colombia, Peru, Haiti and Mexico.</p><p><strong>ABOUT PACIFIC RUBIALES ENERGY<br
/> </strong>Pacific Rubiales is a public company listed on the Toronto and Colombian stock exchanges. The Company is the largest independent oil and gas exploration and production company in Colombia. Pacific Rubiales owns 100% of Pacific Stratus and Meta Petroleum Limited, two Colombian oil &amp; gas operators which operate and own interests in, amongst others, the Rubiales and Piriri oil fields in Colombia’s Llanos Basin and the La Creciente natural gas field in northern Colombia. The Company is focused on identifying growth opportunities in almost all the hydrocarbon basins in Colombia, as well as in eastern Peru, and Guatemala. The Company has a strong and growing reserve base, and is maximizing future production prospects through its exploration activities.</p><p><strong>Media Contact:<br
/> </strong>Christy Louth, Executive Director, +1-604-609-5133<br
/> e. <a
href="mailto:info@cgsgi.ca">info@cgsgi.ca<br
/> </a>web: <a
href="http://www.cgsgi.ca" target="_blank">www.cgsgi.ca</a></p><p>Photos from the event can be found at: <a
href="http://cgsgi.ca/news-and-media/photo-gallery/" target="_blank">http://cgsgi.ca/news-and-media/photo-gallery/</a></p><p>Copyright © 2012 CLINTON GIUSTRA SUSTAINABLE GROWTH INITIATIVE (CANADA). All rights reserved.</p></div> ]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>http://cgsgi.ca/2012/03/raises-us1-million-from-the-pacific-rubiales-colombia-championship-for-projects-in-colombia/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> </item> <item><title>CGSGI Newsletter – Fall 2011</title><link>http://cgsgi.ca/2011/12/cgsgi-newsletter-fall-2011/</link> <comments>http://cgsgi.ca/2011/12/cgsgi-newsletter-fall-2011/#comments</comments> <pubDate>Tue, 20 Dec 2011 17:23:52 +0000</pubDate> <dc:creator>admin</dc:creator> <category><![CDATA[Newsletters]]></category> <guid
isPermaLink="false">http://cgsgi.ca/?p=271</guid> <description><![CDATA[Facilitating up to 500 new low-income homes Certifying &#38; training 5,000 low-income construction workers in Colombia Fondo Acceso makes first investment of U.S. $1.35 million in Alimentos S.A.S. &#8211; A Colombian manufacturer of fruit juices and pulp Haiti development fund announces the approval of its first investment of U.S. $415,000 in Caribbean craft &#8211; A [...]]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<ul><li>Facilitating up to 500 new low-income homes</li><li>Certifying &amp; training 5,000 low-income construction workers in Colombia</li><li>Fondo Acceso makes first investment of U.S. $1.35 million in Alimentos S.A.S. &#8211; A Colombian manufacturer of fruit juices and pulp</li><li>Haiti development fund announces the approval of its first investment of U.S. $415,000 in Caribbean craft &#8211; A Haitian artisan producer</li><li>Cataract surgeries &#8211; Improving economic opportunities and increasing quality of life for tens of thousands of Peruvians</li><li>Taná &#8211; Organic spice company employing 120 afro-colombian women</li><li>Introducing small business to hotel markets in Cartagena, Colombia, facilitating more than U.S. $1 million in sales</li><li>Monitoring and evaluating allows CGSGI to make continual project adjustments to maximize beneficiary impact</li></ul><p><a
href="http://cgsgi.ca/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/CGSGI-Newsletter-Fall2011.pdf">Download the full CGSGI Fall 2011 Newsletter (PDF)</a></p> ]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>http://cgsgi.ca/2011/12/cgsgi-newsletter-fall-2011/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> </item> <item><title>The Pursuit of Wealth for the Greater Good &#8211; The Globe and Mail</title><link>http://cgsgi.ca/2011/09/the-pursuit-of-wealth-for-the-greater-good-the-globe-and-mail/</link> <comments>http://cgsgi.ca/2011/09/the-pursuit-of-wealth-for-the-greater-good-the-globe-and-mail/#comments</comments> <pubDate>Wed, 14 Sep 2011 21:31:11 +0000</pubDate> <dc:creator>marc</dc:creator> <category><![CDATA[Media]]></category> <guid
isPermaLink="false">http://cgsgi.ca/?p=263</guid> <description><![CDATA[It might have been the conversation over a bottle of wine with his wife. It could have been the century-old writings of capitalist-philosopher Andrew Carnegie. It definitely had something to do with the magnetism of Bill Clinton. The pursuit of wealth for the greater good]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>It might have been the conversation over a bottle of wine with his wife. It could have been the century-old writings of capitalist-philosopher Andrew Carnegie.</p><p>It definitely had something to do with the magnetism of Bill Clinton.</p><p><a
href="http://cgsgi.ca/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/The-pursuit-of-wealth-for-the-greater-good.pdf">The pursuit of wealth for the greater good</a></p> ]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>http://cgsgi.ca/2011/09/the-pursuit-of-wealth-for-the-greater-good-the-globe-and-mail/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> </item> <item><title>Giustra, Slim donate $100-million each to Clinton Foundation &#8211; The Globe and Mail</title><link>http://cgsgi.ca/2011/09/giustra-slim-donate-100-million-each-to-clinton-foundation-the-globe-and-mail/</link> <comments>http://cgsgi.ca/2011/09/giustra-slim-donate-100-million-each-to-clinton-foundation-the-globe-and-mail/#comments</comments> <pubDate>Wed, 14 Sep 2011 17:13:29 +0000</pubDate> <dc:creator>marc</dc:creator> <category><![CDATA[Media]]></category> <guid
isPermaLink="false">http://cgsgi.ca/?p=259</guid> <description><![CDATA[Former U.S. president Bill Clinton has teamed with a reclusive Vancouver mining financier and a Mexican billionaire to create a massive charitable effort that will see the mining industry channel funds to fight poverty in areas affected by the resource sector. Giustra, Slim donate $100-million each to Clinton Foundation &#160;]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Former U.S. president Bill Clinton has teamed with a reclusive Vancouver mining financier and a Mexican billionaire to create a massive charitable effort that will see the mining industry channel funds to fight poverty in areas affected by the resource sector.</p><p><a
href="http://cgsgi.ca/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/Giustra.pdf">Giustra, Slim donate $100-million each to Clinton Foundation</a></p><p>&nbsp;</p> ]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>http://cgsgi.ca/2011/09/giustra-slim-donate-100-million-each-to-clinton-foundation-the-globe-and-mail/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> </item> <item><title>Tycoon Rallies Industry to Help Poor &#8211; The Globe and Mail</title><link>http://cgsgi.ca/2011/09/tycoon-rallies-industry-to-help-poor-the-globe-and-mail/</link> <comments>http://cgsgi.ca/2011/09/tycoon-rallies-industry-to-help-poor-the-globe-and-mail/#comments</comments> <pubDate>Wed, 14 Sep 2011 17:12:08 +0000</pubDate> <dc:creator>marc</dc:creator> <category><![CDATA[Media]]></category> <guid
isPermaLink="false">http://cgsgi.ca/?p=256</guid> <description><![CDATA[Over the course of more than two decades, Frank Giustra earned a reputation as the consummate dealmaker, a man who used artful suasion and tenacity to amass a fortune rumoured to be worth more than $1-billion. Yesterday, the reclusive Vancouver mining financier pulled off what might be his most skillful deal yet: finding a way [...]]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Over the course of more than two decades, Frank Giustra earned a reputation as the consummate dealmaker, a man who used artful suasion and tenacity to amass a fortune rumoured to be worth more than $1-billion. Yesterday, the reclusive Vancouver mining financier pulled off what might be his most skillful deal yet: finding a way to give some of this money back.</p><p><a
href="http://cgsgi.ca/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/Tycoon-rallies-industry-to-help-the-poor.pdf">Tycoon rallies industry to help the poor</a></p><p>&nbsp;</p> ]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>http://cgsgi.ca/2011/09/tycoon-rallies-industry-to-help-poor-the-globe-and-mail/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> </item> <item><title>Friends In High Places &#8211; Lifestyles Magazine</title><link>http://cgsgi.ca/2011/09/friends-in-high-places-lifestyles-magazine/</link> <comments>http://cgsgi.ca/2011/09/friends-in-high-places-lifestyles-magazine/#comments</comments> <pubDate>Mon, 12 Sep 2011 18:09:33 +0000</pubDate> <dc:creator>marc</dc:creator> <category><![CDATA[Media]]></category> <guid
isPermaLink="false">http://cgsgi.ca/?p=249</guid> <description><![CDATA[Traveling with Bill Clinton and hanging with Carlos Slim seems like fun, but Vancouver&#8217;s Frank Giustra would rather discuss restoring sight in Peru and building schools in Colombia. Friends In High Places &#8211; Lifestyles Magazine (PDF)]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Traveling with Bill Clinton and hanging with Carlos Slim seems like fun, but Vancouver&#8217;s Frank Giustra would rather discuss restoring sight in Peru and building schools in Colombia.</p><p><a
title="Friends In High Places - Lifestyles Magazine (PDF)" href="http://cgsgi.ca/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/Lifestyles-Magazine-Friends-in-High-Places.pdf">Friends In High Places &#8211; Lifestyles Magazine (PDF)</a></p> ]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>http://cgsgi.ca/2011/09/friends-in-high-places-lifestyles-magazine/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> </item> <item><title>Clinton Giustra Sustainable Growth Initiative Announces Training and Certification Program for 5,000 construction workers in Colombia</title><link>http://cgsgi.ca/2011/07/clinton-giustra-sustainable-growth-initiative-announces-training-and-certification-program-for-5000-construction-workers-in-colombia/</link> <comments>http://cgsgi.ca/2011/07/clinton-giustra-sustainable-growth-initiative-announces-training-and-certification-program-for-5000-construction-workers-in-colombia/#comments</comments> <pubDate>Tue, 12 Jul 2011 19:50:38 +0000</pubDate> <dc:creator>marc</dc:creator> <category><![CDATA[Press Releases]]></category> <guid
isPermaLink="false">http://cgsgi.ca/?p=240</guid> <description><![CDATA[The Clinton Giustra Sustainable Growth Initiative Signs Agreements with SENA and CAMACOL toprovide on-site training to low-income housing construction workers Training and certification to enhance sustainable employment opportunities New York, July 11, 2011 — The Clinton Giustra Sustainable Growth Initiative (CGSGI)announced today the signing of agreements with SENA and CAMACOL Bogotá andCundinamarca (CAMACOL B&#38;C) that [...]]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p
style="text-align: center;"><em>The Clinton Giustra Sustainable Growth Initiative Signs Agreements with SENA and CAMACOL toprovide on-site training to low-income housing construction workers</em></p><p
style="text-align: center;"><em>Training and certification to enhance sustainable employment opportunities</em></p><p
style="text-align: left;"><em></em><strong>New York, July 11, 2011</strong> — The Clinton Giustra Sustainable Growth Initiative (CGSGI)announced today the signing of agreements with SENA and CAMACOL Bogotá andCundinamarca (CAMACOL B&amp;C) that establish the first on-site job training andcertification program for construction workers in Colombia. CGSGI will develop aportable, on-site training facility in the Ciudad Verde (&#8220;Green City&#8221;) low-income housingdevelopment in Soacha, Cundinamarca, near Bogotá, the capital of Colombia to offerfree training and certification for 5,000 construction workers. The on-site trainingprogram will utilize courses developed by SENA, the National Learning Service ofColombia, and trainees will be evaluated by CAMACOL B&amp;C, the Colombian Chamberof Construction. Workers will receive certifications from SENA for the competencies inwhich they have been trained.</p><p
style="text-align: left;">Colombia’s Administradoras de Riesgos Profesionales (ARPs — occupational riskmanagement companies) have concluded that the nation’s construction sector ischaracterized by high levels of job turnover, employment instability and rates ofaccidents. CGSGI’s program aims to strengthen Colombia’s construction workforce,improve productivity, and reduce accident rates by offering specific training needed inthe market including working at heights, on-site layout, cementing, structures, masonryand electric and hydraulic installations.</p><p
style="text-align: left;">Ciudad Verde has been selected because it is one of Colombia’s largest low- incomehousing developments, stretching over 300 hectares, and designed to provide housingsolutions for about 150,000 residents. There are nine builders participating in theconstruction of 42,000 units in Ciudad Verde, and construction workers from all builderswill be eligible for enrollment in the training, which will be offered free of charge.&#8221;We are pleased to be participating in this innovative training project. It will improve thequality of Colombia’s construction workforce and offer certifications that will providebetter opportunities for sustainable and quality employment for thousands of workers,&#8221;said President Bill Clinton.</p><p
style="text-align: left;">The training center in Ciudad Verde is expected to officially open on July 11, 2011.SENA will dedicate one course instructor for every thirty trainees, and CAMACOL B&amp;C— as an extension of its Manos que Construyen (&#8220;Hands that Build&#8221;) program — willprovide twelve evaluators to test trainees prior to SENA’s issuance of certifications.</p><p
style="text-align: left;"><strong>About The Clinton Giustra Sustainable Growth Initiative</strong></p><p
style="text-align: left;"><strong></strong>Established in June 2007 by President Bill Clinton and philanthropist Frank Giustra, theClinton Giustra Sustainable Growth Initiative (CGSGI) is an innovative partnershipamong the William J. Clinton Foundation, the private sector, governments, localcommunities, and other NGOs that seeks to narrow the wealth gap in the developingworld by empowering the poor through effective, results-oriented economic and socialdevelopment projects. CGSGI focuses on alleviating poverty through market-drivendevelopment that creates jobs and increases incomes, and by strengthening factors thatenable economic growth such as health and education. CGSGI creates value by forgingcross-sectoral partnerships, designing innovative programs and bringing them to scale,aligning stakeholders, and mainstreaming best practices. The Initiative is committed toassuring transparent and efficient use of resources, and integrating rigorous monitoringand evaluation into its projects. For more information about CGSGI, please visit: <a
href="http://clintonfoundation.org/what-we-do/clinton-giustra-sustainable-growth-initiative/" target="_blank">http://clintonfoundation.org/what-we-do/clinton-giustra-sustainable-growth-initiative/</a></p><p
style="text-align: left;"><strong>About SENA</strong></p><p
style="text-align: left;"><strong></strong>SENA is a Public Establishment of National Order within the Ministry of SocialProtection of the Republic of Colombia. SENA is responsible for investing in the socialand technical development of Colombian workers, offering and delivering freecomprehensive professional learning and the development of persons in productiveactivities that contribute to the social, economic and technological development of theCountry.</p><p
style="text-align: left;"><strong>About CAMACOL</strong></p><p
style="text-align: left;"><strong></strong>The Colombian Chamber of Construction CAMACOL is a national non-profit associationthat brings together businesses and individuals involved in the construction sector valuechain. One of its twelve regional members is CAMACOL Bogotá D.C. andCundinamarca (CAMACOL B&amp;C). One of CAMACOL B&amp;C’s strategic objectivesconsists of involving affiliated companies in social responsibility projects for differentgroups of beneficiaries. To that effect, CAMACOL B&amp;C designed and implemented aprogram dubbed Manos que Construyen (&#8220;Hands that Build&#8221;) with the objective ofgenerating mechanisms and alliances that contribute to the quality of life of the workers,allowing their integration into the value chain, promoting both a sense of belonging inthe sector and commitment with results, quality of products and processefficiencies. Manos que Construyen Project was established in 2006 by CAMACOLB&amp;C.</p><p
style="text-align: left;"><strong>About The William J. Clinton Foundation</strong></p><p
style="text-align: left;"><strong></strong>The William J. Clinton Foundation is a nonpartisan 501(c)(3) organization, founded byPresident Bill Clinton with the mission of strengthening the capacity of peoplethroughout the world to address pressing global challenges. Working in collaborationwith governments and other partners, the Foundation applies a unique problem-solvingmethod to each of its seven initiatives, which work to combat the HIV/AIDS pandemic,fight climate change, and develop sustainable economic growth in Africa and LatinAmerica. In the U.S., the Foundation works to tackle the childhood obesity epidemic andhelps to expand economic opportunity by increasing access to low-cost financialservices and empowering entrepreneurs. Through these efforts, the Foundation hashelped 1.4 million people living with HIV/AIDS access lifesaving treatment, 40 cities fightglobal climate change, and nearly 4,400 schools promote healthier educationalenvironments. Learn more at <a
href="http://www.clintonfoundation.org" target="_blank">www.clintonfoundation.org</a>.</p> ]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>http://cgsgi.ca/2011/07/clinton-giustra-sustainable-growth-initiative-announces-training-and-certification-program-for-5000-construction-workers-in-colombia/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> </item> <item><title>CGSGI Newsletter &#8211; Fall 2010</title><link>http://cgsgi.ca/2010/09/cgsgi-newsletter-fall-2010-2/</link> <comments>http://cgsgi.ca/2010/09/cgsgi-newsletter-fall-2010-2/#comments</comments> <pubDate>Tue, 21 Sep 2010 18:41:55 +0000</pubDate> <dc:creator>marc</dc:creator> <category><![CDATA[Newsletters]]></category> <guid
isPermaLink="false">http://cgsgi.ca/?p=177</guid> <description><![CDATA[Since its establishment in June 2007, the Clinton Giustra Sustainable Growth Initiative (CGSGI) has worked in cooperation with the prvate sector, governments, local communities, and other nongovernmental organizations to narrow the wealth gap in the developing world. Tod date, CGSGI&#8217;s projects in Colombia and Peru have reached key milestones. CGSGI Fall 2010 Newsletter]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Since its establishment in June 2007, the Clinton Giustra Sustainable Growth Initiative (CGSGI) has worked in cooperation with the prvate sector, governments, local communities, and other nongovernmental organizations to narrow the wealth gap in the developing world. Tod date, CGSGI&#8217;s projects in Colombia and Peru have reached key milestones.</p><p><a
href="http://cgsgi.ca/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/CGSGI-Fall-2010-Newsletter.pdf">CGSGI Fall 2010 Newsletter</a></p> ]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>http://cgsgi.ca/2010/09/cgsgi-newsletter-fall-2010-2/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> </item> <item><title>President Bill Clinton, Frank Giustra and Carlos Slim Launch $20 Million Fund for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) in Haiti</title><link>http://cgsgi.ca/2010/06/president-bill-clinton-frank-giustra-and-carlos-slim-launch-20-million-fund-for-small-and-medium-sized-enterprises-smes-in-haiti/</link> <comments>http://cgsgi.ca/2010/06/president-bill-clinton-frank-giustra-and-carlos-slim-launch-20-million-fund-for-small-and-medium-sized-enterprises-smes-in-haiti/#comments</comments> <pubDate>Fri, 18 Jun 2010 18:34:35 +0000</pubDate> <dc:creator>marc</dc:creator> <category><![CDATA[Press Releases]]></category> <guid
isPermaLink="false">http://cgsgi.ca/?p=162</guid> <description><![CDATA[Investments will be aligned with priorities in Haiti Port-au-Prince, Haiti— Today, President Bill Clinton and philanthropists Frank Giustra and Carlos Slim accompanied by Haitian Government officials, announced the creation of an innovative new $20 million fund for small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Haiti. This is a project of the Clinton Foundation, through the Clinton [...]]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p
style="text-align: center;"><em>Investments will be aligned with priorities in Haiti</em></p><p><strong>Port-au-Prince, Haiti— </strong>Today,<strong> </strong>President Bill Clinton and philanthropists Frank Giustra and Carlos Slim accompanied by Haitian Government officials, announced the creation of an innovative new $20 million fund for small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Haiti. This is a project of the Clinton Foundation, through the Clinton Giustra Sustainable Growth Initiative, and Fundación Carlos Slim. This new fund was established in response to a call from President Préval and Prime Minister Bellerive for more tools to help Haitian entrepreneurs make sustainable improvements in their businesses and communities, and create more jobs.</p><p> “The fund we are announcing today recognizes the important role small-and medium-sized enterprises play in helping to build a modern, self-sustainable economy that will allow Haiti to one day stand on its own two feet,” President Clinton said. “With this fund, we hope to empower entrepreneurs with tools to transform their aspirations, hard work, and good ideas into profitable businesses that create jobs and help fuel the growth of the Haitian economy.”</p><p> “We’re pleased and excited to be working alongside the people of Haiti as they rebuild their country,” explained Giustra. “By aligning the fund alongside local needs and priorities, we’re giving Haiti’s entrepreneurs the tools and resources they need to put their talent and determination to work in the months and years ahead. We’ve seen a real spirit of optimism here and it’s definitely contagious.”     </p><p> “Employment is the way to fight poverty and dignify a human being,” said Carlos Slim. “Small and medium size enterprises generate greater and more diverse employment opportunities, economic activity and human and business development. Investing in equity and giving access to credit, increases businesses’ viability, makes companies more efficient, and accelerates growth.”</p><p>This charitable Fund will provide equity and financing for SMEs in Haiti that currently lack access to traditional financing and capital markets, with a particular focus on job creation. The Fund will be market-driven and will seek financial returns on its investments, as well as returns on the Fund as a whole, and profits will be re-invested in the Fund to enable additional future investments. Neither President Clinton, the Clinton Foundation, nor Fundación Carlos Slim will derive profits from the Fund. The Fund and its investments will be aligned with the Haitian government’s priorities, institutions, and processes, including the Interim Haiti Recovery Commission (IHRC) and its procedures. The Fund will seek to collaborate with local institutions and provide technical assistance to the businesses in which it invests. The Fund also will welcome additional investors.</p><p> This announcement builds on President Clinton’s long-standing efforts to help Haitian businesses grow.  In October 2009, President Clinton, at the request of the Haitian Government and along with the IDB, convened a private sector conference.  More than 600 potential investors attended.</p><p> The Fund will be managed by a Management Committee and lead by a Fund Manager.</p><p><strong> </strong><strong>About the William J. Clinton Foundation</strong></p><p>Founded by President Bill Clinton, the William J. Clinton Foundation focuses on worldwide issues that demand urgent action, solutions, and measurable results &#8212; global climate change, HIV/AIDS in the developing world, childhood obesity and economic opportunity in the United States, and economic development in Africa and Latin America. For more information, visit <a
href="http://www.clintonfoundation.org/">www.clintonfoundation.org</a>.</p><p><strong> </strong><strong>About the Clinton Giustra Sustainable Growth Initiative </strong></p><p>The Clinton Giustra Sustainable Growth Initiative is an innovative partnership between the William J. Clinton Foundation, the private sector, governments, local communities, and other NGOs to increase the scope, scale, impact, and sustainability of social and economic development efforts in areas where poverty is widespread. Established in June 2007 by President Bill Clinton and Frank Giustra, CGSGI focuses on alleviating poverty in the developing world through market-driven development that creates jobs and increases incomes, and by strengthening factors that enable economic growth such as health and education. CGSGI is an effort to transform the way businesses do business in the developing world, by creating opportunities and models for all industries seeking to work responsibly in those regions.<strong></strong></p><p><strong> </strong><strong>About Fundación Carlos Slim</strong></p><p>For the past 24 years the Foundation’s objective has been to realize high social impact actions, mainly in the following areas:  nutrition, health, education, culture, research, social justice, environment, natural disasters, sports, urban slum upgrading and urban renewal, credit and financial support to micro, small and medium size enterprises. <a
href="http://www.carlosslim.org">www.carlosslim.org</a></p> ]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>http://cgsgi.ca/2010/06/president-bill-clinton-frank-giustra-and-carlos-slim-launch-20-million-fund-for-small-and-medium-sized-enterprises-smes-in-haiti/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> </item> <item><title>CGSGI Newsletter &#8211; Spring 2010</title><link>http://cgsgi.ca/2010/05/cgsgi-newsletter-spring-2010/</link> <comments>http://cgsgi.ca/2010/05/cgsgi-newsletter-spring-2010/#comments</comments> <pubDate>Thu, 13 May 2010 17:45:36 +0000</pubDate> <dc:creator>admin</dc:creator> <category><![CDATA[Newsletters]]></category> <guid
isPermaLink="false">http://cgsgi.ca/?p=110</guid> <description><![CDATA[CGSGI is playing a critical role in designing and implementing income generation and vocational training components in conjunction with Shakira’s Fundación Pies Descalzos (Barefoot Foundation) in Colombia. These components are unique in that they focus on providing demand-driven skills. Unlike other job training programs in Colombia, individuals and small businesses participating in the project receive [...]]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>CGSGI is playing a critical role in designing and implementing income generation and vocational training components in conjunction with Shakira’s Fundación Pies Descalzos (Barefoot Foundation) in Colombia. These components are unique in that they focus on providing demand-driven skills. Unlike other job training programs in Colombia, individuals and small businesses participating in the project receive custom attention in implementing business improvement plans, including assistance with market linkages. Within the last year, over 1,000 jobs have been created, and over 1,100 businesses, most of which have fewer than 10 employees, have received assistance through this project.</p><p><a
href="http://cgsgi.ca/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/CGSGI-Spring-2010-Newsletter1.pdf">CGSGI Spring 2010 Newsletter</a></p> ]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>http://cgsgi.ca/2010/05/cgsgi-newsletter-spring-2010/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> </item> </channel> </rss>
