Cooperation with the private sector has continuously gained importance in the context of international development work. Since 1999, GTZ has carried out such joint projects on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) in over 90 countries. In development partnerships, also called public-private partnerships (PPP), public and private partners join forces to realise projects that are profitable for the business partners and have a development benefit in developing countries. The partners share responsibility, risks and costs of the projects. They combine their respective strengths, helping to promote sustainable development and to improve living conditions.

In a PPP, companies profit from GTZ's contacts, experience and global network of experts. Private sector involvement also helps to achieve development policy goals by creating jobs and transferring technological innovations in developing and transition countries like India. Since the PPP programme began in 1999, GTZ has formed more than 1000 partnerships with private companies and associations worldwide. More than 300 million euros have been invested in these projects, with the public share averaging around 40%.

In India, GTZ has successfully realised 29 projects with private partners mainly in the areas of sustainable economic development, energy and the environment. The two following examples illustrate the working of such partnerships.

• Arsenic Mitigation of Drinking Water in West Bengal
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• Rural Electrification and Energy Services Through Biomass
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