The Committee will inquire into the role of the private sector in promoting economic growth and reducing poverty in the Indo-Pacific region. The Committee will consider the following issues during its inquiry:

• The current role of the private sector in accelerating the pace of economic growth and in reducing poverty in poor countries in the Indo-Pacific region.
• Current Australian Government support for private sector development through bilateral and multilateral investments.
• Legislative, institutional, social and policy constraints that may reduce the ability of private sector agencies to engage in development.
• Additional partnerships, activities or financial instruments the Australian government could use to enhance the role of the private sector in development in the Indo-Pacific region.
• The role of public-private partnerships in leveraging private sector investment in developing countries.
• Risks related to current and possible future approaches to enhancing the role of the private sector in development, and their management.
• The role Australian and international businesses could play to support development and inclusive growth in partner countries.

In making the referral, the Foreign Minister suggested that the Committee pay particular attention to the following issues:

• What other donors (new and traditional) are doing in this area.
• The particular role of women in ensuring a thriving private sector.
• The possible return on investment to Australia of private sector partnerships and specific financial instruments.