United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)

UNDP’s policy and programme support to trade and the private sector is structured around four strategic areas, building on UNDP’s strengths and its long-standing experience in engaging the private sector and supporting trade capacity. These four areas are:

• Creating an enabling environment for the development of the sustainable and inclusive business. UNDP works with Governments in partner countries to raise awareness about the contribution that the private sector can make to inclusive and sustainable development and promote the adoption of an enabling environment;
• Supporting the development of productive capacities, sustainable and inclusive business and value chains. UNDP sees investment in a more diversified economy and trade base as critical in building resilience –especially in LDCs and other vulnerable countries. Work in this area include: (i) Generating knowledge about the contribution that the private sector can make in building productive capacities; (ii) Promoting inclusive business models that create benefits to the poor as customers, employees, producers and business owners while remaining commercially viable; and (iii) Supporting the development of value chain in key economic sectors.
• Improving resilience among MSMEs and engaging the private sector in crisis response. UNDP works towards bridging the emergency preparedness and resilience, and crisis response to post-crisis recovery – reaching out to mobilize and engage the private sector in such efforts.
• Aligning the strategies and actions of the private sector to the SDGs. UNDP works directly with private enterprises to scale up the impact of their activities towards sustainable development.