Silk workers in China. The role of the private sector has been crucial to China's leap forward in development. Source: Flickr/adpowers

Despite the focus on the role of aid in development, it is actually the private sector that primarily drives the economic growth needed in developing countries. It is the private sector that creates jobs and wealth. And it is the private sector that is responsible for the investment, innovation and technological progress that underpin both growth and development. 

ODI works on the contribution business can make to development. This includes analysis of: incentives for business to improve its development impact; the right enabling environment for business, and the promotion of partnerships between business, government and civil society. We have also focused on specific sectors, such as the development impact of the oil and gas industries, engineering, tourism, and agribusiness. 

Our work on the private sector draws primarily on research from our Business and Development Performance Programme. Sector-specific research is undertaken in research areas across the Institute, including the Tourism and Protected Livelihoods and Agricultural Growth Programmes.