Background

Many countries in the region have broadened their approach toward economic development – promoting inclusive growth strategies that can sustainably benefit the poor and vulnerable. While the private sector has been a key contributor to the economic boom in Asia, it has yet to fully realize its potential in creating shared value and impact for income groups below the $3-$4 vulnerability line (the base of the income pyramid or BoP).

Inclusive businesses are for-profit enterprises that directly engage – in innovative ways – BoP populations in their value chain as consumers, suppliers, distributors or employees. India provides a vibrant market for innovative inclusive business experiences in many sectors. With about 30% of the Indian population (355 million people) living below the national poverty line, 87% on less than $4 a day, strong private final consumption, and a sizable lack of adequate public service provisions for the poor, the market for Inclusive Business in India is huge (estimated $667 billion in PPP terms).
experiences in Latin America.

ADB’s Inclusive Business website comprises – among others – a study on the opportunities of inclusive business in India. The Inclusive Business Forum will discuss the results of that study, and the proposed design of an Inclusive Business Investment Fund for India and Sri Lanka.

Objectives and content

The objective of the Inclusive Business Forum in Mumbai is to discuss the findings of the inclusive business country assessment study for India, and the recommendations for the ADB to support inclusive business scale-up by possibly establishing an investment fund for India and Sri Lanka.

The India Inclusive Business Forum follows an Inclusive Business roundtable discussion, to be held on 30 August 2012 at the Taj Ambassador Hotel in New Delhi. The Delhi roundtable will discuss issues of government support for inclusive business and on the use and design of the impact assessment tool. See draft program schedules and tentative list of speakers and panelists under event documents.

Organizers and participants

The forum will see participation from a variety of stakeholders including inclusive businesses, fund managers, government bodies, industry associations, and ADB. Private sector chief executive officers will present inclusive business models, fund managers and possible investors will discuss their interest in investing in such ventures, and government representatives and development partners will see how they can support inclusive business in India.

For the Mumbai Forum on 31 August 2012, about 110 participants are expected, and for the Delhi roundtable on 30 August 2012, about 30 experts.

The Forum is organized by ADB in cooperation with Dalberg Consult. ADB’s Inclusive Business initiative is also in partnership with the inclusive business work done by the Netherlands’ development organization SNV, the World Business Council on Sustainable Development, and other development partners including DFID, the Ford Foundation, KfW, SIDA, and the Inter-American Development Bank (IADB).

Contacts

For inquiries:
Armin BAUER
Principal Economist, ADB
Tel: + 632 632 5550

For registration, send your reply form to:
Ashish MEHRA
Dalberg Consult
or confirm via phone
Tel: +91 998 7028151