Promoting innovation through the Business Partnerships Platform

Today we announce ten new partnerships between business and government to address some of the most complex aid challenges in the Indo-Pacific region. These partnerships will address issues including child malnutrition, women's health care, mobile banking, and off-grid energy solutions for unconnected communities.

The Business Partnerships Platform (BPP) is a flagship initiative in the Australian Government's agenda to partner with the private sector to help deliver Australia's aid program. As the largest source of employment and economic growth in developing countries, the private sector is an essential partner to achieving sustainable socio-economic outcomes.

The partnerships will support work the Government is undertaking in seven countries: Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Myanmar, Vietnam, Pakistan, Nepal and Kenya. They provide $10.2 million in private sector funding in addition to the Australian Government's $3.8 million investment in the BPP.

The BPP received over 180 proposals. This strong response demonstrates the value the private sector places on partnering with the Government to meet shared development objectives.

The Australian Government continues to give priority to the economic empowerment of women and girls as part of our aid program. We are pleased that a gender equality focus will be adopted by each of the successful partnerships.

The second round of the BPP is now open. Further information is available at: dfat.gov.au/bpp