Private sector activity is crucial for development. It shapes the investment climate, mobilizes innovation and financing in areas such as global health, and can either cause or mitigate social and environmental harm. Yet so far, the international development debate has not focused on the role of the private sector. This volume—written by members of the private sector, philanthropic organizations, and academia—investigates ways to galvanize the private sector in the fight against global poverty. Using a bottom-up approach, they describe how the private sector affects growth and poverty alleviation. They also review the impediments to private capital investment, and discuss various approaches to risk mitigation, including public sector enhancements, and identify some specific new plans for financing development in neglected markets, including an equity-based model for financing small-to-medium-sized enterprises. From the top-down, the authors look at the social and environmental impact of private sector activities, investigate public-private partnerships, explore new perspectives on the role of multinationals, and discuss an in-depth case study of these issues as they relate to global public health. In addition to providing a broad overview of the current issues, this forward-looking volume assesses the action-oriented initiatives that already exist, and provides templates and suggestions for new initiatives and partnerships. Contributors include David DeFerranti (Brookings Institution), Timothy Freundlich (Calvert Social Investment Foundation), Ross Levine (World Bank), Sylvia Mathews (Gates Foundation), Jane Nelson (Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government), Alan Patricof (APAX Partners), Warrick Smith (World Bank), and Julie Sunderland (APAX Partners).

The publication explores the role of the private sector in economic development and the challenges involved in the design of public policies which promote an appropriate balance between competition and regulation. Chapters discuss the following topics: the private sector and poverty reduction, the investment climate, public intervention to promote supply response, private participation and markets for basic services, pro-poor policy design, sustainability and reform aspects.

Looks at the underdevelopment of the private sector on American Indian reservations, with the goal of sustaining and growing Native nation communities.

IFC Results on the Ground No. 1. The International Finance Corporation (IFC), whose primary mission is to encourage economic development in its member countries by supporting the private sector, measures its development effectiveness through an ann

* Comprehensive examination of roles private sector plays in development * Collection part of the Kumarian Press and Oxfam Development in Practice readers series Corporations have a major impact on the lives of people in developing countries. Not only do they determine the shape of the international economy but many private companies now provide essential social services that were previously the responsibility of government. The growth of corporate power has generated a backlash as companies are held to account for the social and environmental impacts of their business. The resulting array of new initiatives coming under the term ‘corporate social responsibility’ has many implications for development. There are heated debates as to whether these initiatives should remain voluntary, or form part of tighter international regulation of business. Corporations clearly have the potential to contribute to sustainable economic growth in developing countries. However, their business can also undermine people’s livelihoods. Contributors to this volume examine the impact of the private sector on development, whether through core business practices, corporate responsibility endeavors, or philanthropic activities. Bringing together both analytical chapters and case studies ranging from El Salvador, to Kenya, to Timor-Leste, this book focuses on how the private sector can do less harm, and even do considerable good by fostering equitable development. Other contributors: Stephanie Ware Barrientos, Jem Bendell, Catherine Dolan, Sumi Dhanarajan, Deborah Doane, Niamh Garvey, David Hall, April Linton, Lienda Loebis, Emanuele Lobina, Robin de la Motte, Ben Moxham, Julian Oram, Peter Newell, Carolina Quinteros, Leopoldo Rodriguez-Boetsch, Hubert Schmitz, Sally Smith, Anne Tallontire, and Peter Utting.

Future economic development and the well-being of citizens in South East Europe (SEE) increasingly depend on greater economic competitiveness. Realising the region’s economic potential requires a holistic, growth-oriented policy approach. Against the backdrop of enhanced European Union (EU) ...

Infrastructure plays a key role in fostering growth and productivity and has been linked to improved earnings, health, and education levels for the poor. Yet Latin America and the Caribbean are currently faced with a dangerous combination of relatively low public and private infrastructure investment. Those investment levels must increase, and it can be done. If Latin American and Caribbean governments are to increase infrastructure investment in politically feasible ways, it is critical that they learn from experience and have an accurate idea of future impacts. This book contributes to this aim by producing what is arguably the most comprehensive privatization impact analysis in the region to date, drawing on an extremely comprehensive dataset.