| Summary: | As International Finance Corporation's (IFC's) annual report 2011 portrays, a robust and engaged private sector is a key factor in helping economies adjust to challenges, manage risks, and seize opportunities. The report highlights IFC's support for businesses and entrepreneurs while promoting, developing, and generating growth. This year, IFC provided nearly $19 billion in financing for private sector development, $6.5 billion of which was mobilized from partners. IFC is making important contributions to job creation connecting the private sector to investments across the agricultural value chain, in health services, education, and training. IFC has put a special emphasis on infrastructure investment, which can provide jobs today and growth tomorrow, and this year launched the infrastructure fund to help mobilize finance. This complements the advisory services provided by the infrastructure finance center of excellence, supported by the Bank Group and the Government of Singapore. IFC is also expanding its work in the poorest countries, post-conflict zones, and areas at risk. Its leadership in private sector development is reflected in IFC's deepening partnership with the Group of 20 on critical issues such as jobs, food security, and opportunities for small and medium enterprises. This year's world development report, on conflict, security, and development, underscores the critical role the private sector can play in countries affected by fragility and conflict. This is the year of the client. Clients in the private sector make IFC's work real. Their partnership with IFC promotes development and helps create opportunity for the poor and they deserve special recognition for it.
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