Alexander De Croo wants to put more emphasis on strengthening SMEs in the South

Alexander De Croo: "Entrepreneurship is not only a right, it is a necessity. No country in the world has extracted itself from poverty through development aid only. Sustainable economic growth is an important catalyst for development. Private enterprises provide job opportunities. Companies also pay taxes which allow local institutions to build infrastructure such as schools, hospitals and roads."

"The development of the private sector has enjoyed for many years a central role in the international development agenda. Our country must be part of this program. In the coming years I want the Belgian development cooperation to be deeply committed to support the private sector at the local level in the South, and particularly that of small and medium enterprises."

"We will achieve this mainly through BIO, the Belgian Investment Company for Developing Countries. A vibrant local private sector with strong SMEs is essential if countries are to develop sustainably. Our efforts can be directed to ensure that companies in the South have more opportunities to grow, to invest, to develop their capacity and to create more opportunities for employment."