Working with the private sector to eliminate poverty

Making the private sector work for poor people

Poor people sell their labour and goods, buy their food and otherservices in transactions that are predominantly private. Asemployees and business owners, every day they negotiate thethreats and opportunities of their markets, however fragile theenvironment may be. This report presents DFID's policy position with regard to the private sector, noting that, for DFID, helping developing countries create the conditions which can nurture and sustain economic growth is a clear priority – and the development of the private sector is central to this.

Areas the report focuses on are:

growth, jobs and servces: why the private sector is vital for eliminating poverty
who makes up the private sector in developing countries?
principles, challenges and risks: How DFID approaches private sector development
how DFID’s programmes work: improving the business and investment environment through public-private dialogue, reducing over-regulation and red tape, developing infrastructure, making business services work for the poor and strengthening international trade
Improving the impact of investment on the poor: Corporate social responsibility and increased access to services.

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Eldis

Working with the private sector to eliminate poverty