Private sector growth is THE EXIT STRATEGY from aid, however...

Our chosen blogger of the week this week is Zahid Torres-Rahman from 'Business Fights Poverty', for arguing that while the involvement of business in re-vamping the Millenium Development Goals (which expire in 2015) is a hugely welcome step forward, the discussion risks being hi-jacked by the popular narratives of corporate tax-avoidance and business responsibility.

The rightly popular social sector refrain "FOCUS ON YOUR BENEFICIARIES!!", here is precisely in line with Zahid's argument. What people in developing countries want in order to free themselves from poverty, are the opportunities and choices that will flow from the growth of a vibrant private sector.

Angrily focussing on tax and responsibility, emotive issues that allow simple messaging which admittedly can be effective in galvanising less-sophisticated support for NGOs "...risks shifting attention from what really matters to those we are all trying to support – poor people around the world."

Anyway, Zahid puts it better here (link), and so his VPF Badge is in the post.