At a Leadership Breakfast in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, a group of business leaders heard about an exciting pilot initiative to be led by the General Electric Company (GE) and the International Business Leaders Forum (IBLF). Initial funding will be provided from the GE Foundation, and the pilot intends to accelerate business networks in Dar es Salaam that are committed to developing inclusive business models resulting in prosperity for low-income communities. The partnership launch represents a commitment to stimulate activity and scale the impact of responsible business networks in Tanzania with representatives from business, government and civil society.

Inclusive business models include the poor as clients and customers on the demand side or as employees, producers and business owners on the supply side. Such models generate profits at the same time as creating jobs, expanding access to critical products and services, and increasing incomes for poor people.

Responsible Business Networks can make an important contribution to sustainable development by promoting inclusive business with all its positive impacts. GE is a member of IBLF and was invited to participate in a Leadership Breakfast convened by DFID's "Partnering with Business Programme," the Business Call to Action and a number of the world's leading business networks to rally business energy and expertise around inclusive business models, to coincide with the 2010 World Economic Forum on Africa.

"GE recognizes that businesses must play a pivotal role in addressing low-income communities as an economic force," said Nabil Habayeb, President & CEO, GE Middle East and Africa. "The partnership with IBLF, supported by funding from the GE Foundation, is GE's commitment to start an on-going dialogue with like minded partners on how we can engage and empower people who are at the Bottom of the Pyramid into the supply chain, so we can build sustainable communities that will have a strong sense of entrepreneurship."

Graham Baxter, Acting CEO of IBLF said: "After three days in Dar es Salaam discussing business and development issues with local and international partners, it is clear that there are many exciting and innovative opportunities to further develop inclusive business models there. So IBLF is delighted to be launching this responsible business network initiative with GE in order to pull together and accelerate implementations of the ideas generated during those discussions. With GE Foundation support, and working with other local partners, we hope to be able to generate increased prosperity for hundreds of people in low income communities."

The project will be supported in part by funding from the GE Foundation, the philanthropic organization of GE, which provide grants and invests in initiatives that work to solve some of the world's most difficult problems. In coordination with our partners, the GE Foundation supports U.S. and international education, developing health globally, the environment, public policy, human rights, disaster relief and community success around the globe.

About The International Business Leaders Forum (IBLF)
Since 1990, IBLF has worked with business, governments, and civil society in over 90 countries and is currently supported by close to 100 leading global and national companies and non-profit partners with the foremost reputation for corporate responsibility in their business operations and community relations. Having been involved in the creation and management of numerous business networks around the world, IBLF understands the characteristics of sustainable responsible business networks and the process of creating them. IBLF helps like-minded groups and individuals connect better with each other to share learning and act collectively. By building the capacity of responsible business networks, IBLF leverages its member resources for greater impact locally and globally.

About the GE Foundation
The GE Foundation, the philanthropic organization of the General Electric Company, works to solve some of the world’s most difficult problems. In coordination with its partners, it supports U.S. and international education, developing health globally, the environment, public policy, human rights and disaster relief. In addition, the GE Foundation supports GE employee and retiree giving and involvement in GE communities around the world. In 2009, the entire GE family - including businesses, employees, retirees and GE Foundation - contributed more than an estimated $220 million to community and educational programs, including more than $100 million from GE Foundation. For more information, visit www.gefoundation.com.

About GE
GE (NYSE: GE) is a diversified infrastructure, finance and media company taking on the world’s toughest challenges. From aircraft engines and power generation to financial services, health care solutions, and television programming, GE operates in more than 100 countries and employs about 300,000 people worldwide. For more information, visit the company's Web site at www.ge.com.

International Business Leaders Forum

International Business Leaders Forum

The International Business Leaders Forum (IBLF) is an independent, not-for-profit organisation working with business leaders and their companies to manage sustainabile programmes worldwide. Headquartered in London, IBLF has regional offices spanning Asia-Pacific, Russia and North America.

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