The goal of the BEE Program is to improve the environment for doing business in the Mekong region, as a thriving private sector creates the jobs needed to alleviate poverty. The program does this through three main activities:
1. assisting government to develop and implement better business-related policies and regulations;
2. facilitating dialogue and building the capacity of the private sector to advocate for a better business environment; and
3. researching and disseminating information about business issues in Vietnam, Cambodia and Lao PDR, as well as on international good practice with regard to private sector development.
Over the past few years, our work has focused on improving the policy and regulatory framework for investment and business operations; increasing private sector access to land, capital and market information; and raising awareness on issues of sustainability (including corporate citizenship, corporate governance, and gender). All of IFC-MPDF’s work in BEE is planned and carried out with partners in government and the private sector, and often in collaboration with other units of IFC and the World Bank. Research and information is disseminated widely through IFC-MPDF’s Private Sector Discussion Papers (a research paper series), and targeted advocacy to improve specific BEE issues is publicized through the Business Issues Bulletinsas well as through the mass media.
