1. Is there a Role for Employers in Poverty Alleviation?
Dutch Employers Cooperation Programme
Jan Karel Bout
Gabarone, February 22, 2007

2. Close connection GDP growth / poverty reduction
source: Worldbank, 2002

3. Profound changes in the world economy (1)
Shift away from the West?
Bric’s
Take-overs in Europe
Global market place with few rules (WTO)

4. Profound changes in world economy (2)
Internet
The world is flat
Countries competing for FDI
Investment climate

5. Business climate, the actors
Role of government
Employers
Labour

6. Tasks for the government
Healthy macro-economic policy
Infrastructure
Rule of Law
Education and skills
Business climate

7. Doing business The World Bank criteria (1)
Starting a business
Dealing with licenses
Registering property
Hiring and firing
Getting credit
Protecting investors

8. Doing business The World Bank criteria (2)
Paying taxes
Trading across borders
Enforcing contracts
Closing business

9. Africa’s performance Some examples
Ghana
Ethiopia
Senegal
Rwanda
Côte d’Ivoire 145
Burkina Faso 154
African countries mostly at bottom of the list

10. Role of Business Organisations
The voice of business
Defending interest of members
The business climate No. 1
Countervailing power for Unions
Providing services to members

11. Characteristics effective business organisation
Advocacy
Representativeness
Strategy
Revenues
Organisational structure

12. Tools to influence governments (1) (Economic growth)
Lobby: government, parliament
Communication; role of media
Press conferences, articles, interviews, etc
Business surveys

13. Tools to influence governments (2) (Economic growth)
Through (large) members
Foreign partners: World Bank, embassies,
international business organisations.
Bi/tripartite bodies
Etc.

14. Business is Key Valuable tools: World Bank: Doing Business
Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper
Your own business survey
Others?

15. A virtuous circle: benefits for all
Strong business  influences government 
better business climate  less informal economy
higher growth and taxes  more jobs 
reduced poverty  strong business