A good investment climate is central to growth and poverty reduction. A vibrant private sector creates jobs, provides the goods and services needed to improve living standards, and contributes taxes necessary for public investment in health, education, and other services.   But too often governments stunt the size of those contributions by creating unjustified risks, costs, and barriers to competition.

— François Bourguignon, Senior Vice President &
Chief Economist, The World Bank

"Poor countries that desperately need new enterprises and jobs risk falling even further behind rich ones who are simplifying regulation and making their investment climates more business friendly."

— Michael Klein, World Bank/IFC Vice President for PSD &
Chief Economist IFC