That puts an overwhelming obligation on all of us to do whatever we can to help those already infected, and above all to halt the spread of the virus. Similarly, investment, not just in medicine but also across the board, is of decisive importance for the developing world. The only developing countries that really are developing are those that have succeeded in attracting significant amounts of direct foreign investment, as well as mobilising the savings and resources of their own citizens. Unfortunately, that is only a relative handful of countries. If they have not succeeded, it is often because they lack the necessary infrastructure, or because their market is too small and too isolated to be of interest.
Local markets have to compete in the global market, and it is unforgiving.
Here, too, international companies could help change this, by working together, and working with governments, to reduce the risks and costs of doing business in the least developed countries, and to disseminate information about the investment opportunities there. Another critical area where partnerships could make an enormous difference to developing countries is information technology. My special thanks to them, and to all the others who have agreed to work with me on this issue, which I believe is crucial for the future of many poor countries. The advocacy role of business leaders is equally important. These broader social roles, of partner and advocate, may be relatively novel for the corporate world, but they can no longer be separated cleanly from the standard business model, nor can they be reduced to a question of philanthropy.