P refa c e Supporting small private companies in developing countries in a socially responsible way: this is one of the corner stones of the government’s Development Cooperation policy. It aims to encourage economic growth and create employment by providing support to the local entrepreneurs, thus the population. Since its inception five years ago, BIO has not only shown its strong expertise and fierce enthusiasm, but it has also proven it can offer a significant added value to the local private sector in developing countries. Economic growth, employment, commercial integration and market expansion are essential to stimulate sustainable development and to efficiently reduce poverty. BIO contributes to a favourable local economic context with a permanent concern for the ethical, social and environmental implications.
The company has now become a comprehensive, direct and active partner of entrepreneurs in a large number of emerging countries. Through the increase of financial means that I entrusted to BIO, the government supports this choice to provide funds to local entrepreneurs who have little or no access to commercial banks. This allows people with a good business sense but who are lacking financial means and management support, to benefit from a growth potential. And this is one of the aims of our cooperation with developing countries‌ The Minister of Development Cooperation.