World Bank chief sees bigger role for private sector

By Lesley Wroughton

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - World Bank President Robert Zoellick said on Thursday the private sector was a key part of his new strategy to boost economic development and reduce poverty in poor countries.

Speaking at a news conference ahead of meetings of the World Bank and International Monetary Fund this weekend, Zoellick said the bank could work with the private sector in areas such as energy, health, agriculture and regional development.

He revealed the bank was in talks with private-sector firms about possibly contributing to a World Bank fund for the world's 81 poorest countries, expanding beyond its traditional roots of funding from rich governments.

He said a "couple of companies" had approached the bank about helping to finance the bank's International Development Association, or IDA, the world's biggest aid fund for poor countries.

Zoellick said it was an encouraging development, as talks are underway with donor nations about replenishing the fund, which provides interest-free loans to poor countries. The fresh funding will cover the lending period starting 2009 to 2011.

"It is a good statement of confidence in what we are doing (and) could help us broaden the base of support for the funding of the 81 poorest countries in the world," Zoellick said, without identifying the companies.

"If we are able to move it forward, this could offer us an opportunity to serve another one of the strategic directions I'd like to encourage, which is how to make sure we draw on the private sector," he added.

The World Bank's board of member countries would first need to approve such participation.