Companies’ response to challenges related to human rights, working conditions and the environment has become an arena for business competition.

Growing awareness among consumers of the importance of fair business

In a development cooperation policy perspective, we emphasise:

The importance of both the private and the productive sectors as "engines of growth" in developing countries

Objective: Developing countries as " emerging markets" as well as " emerging producers"

The necessity of authorities in both developed and developing countries fostering and promoting partnership with private sector - the purpose of the LDC Symposium in Oslo end of January

Why then engage the private sector in developed countries:

The business community has something to offer. Trade and investment are actually carried out by private companies. And they represent certain values that we expect them also to apply in their international activities.

Advise/challenge:

Gathering experts and officials together - take advantage of this opportunity to ask for your advise and at the same time challenge you on three specific issues: partnership, hiv/aids and corruption.

1. Partnership:

• underpin an enabling environment for development by bringing the benefits of globalisation to developing countries, in particular LDCs - aim of the LDC symposium in Oslo
• follow-up of the Oslo symposium: establish transparent and representative fora to facilitate a public-private dialogue, encourage TNCs to exercise corporate social responsibility
• international trade and investment regimes are legally binding - could the forthcoming World Summit for Sustainable Development (Rio+10) be considered an arena for transforming the present voluntary code of conducts on corporate social responsibilities into international legally binding standards?
• initiate and join north-south networks of business leaders,

• facilitate social and cultural north-south contacts between factories and sub-companies
• Promoting business relations - engage in social and cultural activities - NGOs and Student Unions arrange summer youth camps for children and young people all over the world - could private companies sponsor participation from their ranks, or arrange similar events?

2. Hiv/aids:

• threat to development - profound negative impact on the economy and the labour market.
• Huge expectations of the business society – "Hiv/aids and the world of work".
• The Norwegian Forum for AIDS and Development, which has representatives from the church, trade unions, the private sector, sports and cultural circles, the media, NGOs and youth organisations. Mobilising their network at home and abroad, the aim is to help ensure that the issue of HIV/AIDS is addressed at all levels of society in developing countries.
• How can the business community help to address this pandemic? Access to drugs as a preventive measure because hiv- infected hesitate to go public unless they have access to drugs - pharmaceutic industries and trade regimes - trial in South Africa - moral obligation to ensuring access to essential drugs at a price that developing countries can manage - could this be an issue for Compact?
• Norway will host a workshop for experts on differential pricing and financing of essential drugs 8 - 11 April in Høsbjør. One of the objectives will be to examine the range of obstacles to adequate access to essential drugs in developing countries, including issues of financing, pricing, supply, selection and distribution.
• The Norwegian company Veidekke: the new EU embassy in Dar es Salaam - included schemes for hiv/aids related teaching and training of workers at work

3. Corruption:

• Multiple faces and expressions - just as much a political, social and cultural phenomenon as an economic one. A question of attitude - does your company accept borderline activities and behaviour?
• post-conflict societies are particularly vulnerable due to political instability, economic uncertainty and weak institutions
• NHO - Confederation of Norwegian Business and Industry - seminar and brochure for Norwegian companies - combating corruption is improving cost efficiency – an investment in a good reputation