The Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) formulates the development policy of the Federal Republic of Germany. Four guiding principles of German development policy are economic efficiency, social justice, ecological sustainability and political stability. The BMZ selected 60 partner countries for bilateral cooperation on the basis of the overarching goals of German development policy--reducing poverty, securing peace and realizing democracy, achieving justice in globalization and protecting the environment. In regional terms, Africa is the main focus of German development cooperation. Almost half of all partner countries (24) are in sub-Saharan Africa. However, Germany continues to work with countries that are not on the list through its contributions to the development policy of the European Union and multilateral organizations.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is an organization of 188 countries, working to foster global monetary cooperation, secure financial stability, facilitate international trade, promote high employment and sustainable economic growth, and reduce poverty around the world. The IMF's primary purpose is to ensure the stability of the international monetary system—the system of exchange rates and international payments that enables countries (and their citizens) to transact with each other. The Fund's mandate was updated in 2012 to include all macroeconomic and financial sector issues that bear on global stability. The IMF helps its member countries design economic policies and manage their financial affairs more effectively by strengthening their human and institutional capacity through technical assistance and training (Capacity development). Supporting robust, resilient and well-functioning monetary and financial systems and promoting financial sector stability and development are core areas of its expertise.
The Luxembourg Ministry of Finance supports programs and activities promoting the private sector as an engine of growth, in particular aimed at reducing the vulnerability of developing and transition economies to financial crises. Luxembourg has recognized that business enabling, access to finance, and investment climate reforms are an inherently pro-poor agenda. Luxembourg is therefore focusing its assistance on the areas that best advance country progress, individually or regionally. Over the past few years, Luxembourg has continuously increased its funding to support related activities of international financial institutions and other programs.
In the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA), the Directorate General for International Co-operation is responsible for development co-operation. The Netherlands co-operates closely with a limited number of developing nations, multilateral development organizations and non-governmental and civil society organizations. The overall objective of Netherlands' development policy ("A world to gain: A New Agenda for Aid, Trade and Investment") is to enhance sustainable and inclusive growth across the globe by synergizing trade and development policy. Fighting poverty in low-income countries, fragile states and conflict-affected and postconflict countries is one of the main elements of the policy. In this context, the Netherlands works both bilaterally and with its partners to strengthen supervision and regulation of the financial sector and to develop local financial institutions.
The State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) is the center of competence for economic policy of the Federal Department of Economic Affairs in Switzerland. It supports the integration of partner countries into the global economy and enhance their competitive position by:
- strengthening economic and financial policy;
- improving urban infrastructure and utilities;
- supporting the private sector and entrepreneurship;
- promoting sustainable trade;
- fostering climate-friendly growth.
The World Bank Group is one of the world's largest sources of development assistance. In fiscal year 2014, the institution provided more than US$40.8 billion in loans to its client countries. It works in more than 100 developing countries with the primary focus of helping the poorest. The Financial Sector Network of the World Bank Group helps countries strengthen their financial systems, develop their economies, and restructure and modernize financial institutions by providing financing, policy research and advice, financial products and instruments, and technical support.