As a federal enterprise, the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH supports the German Government in achieving its objectives in the field of international cooperation for sustainable development. GIZ offers demand-driven, tailor-made and effective services for sustainable development. To ensure the participation of all stakeholders, GIZ applies a holistic approach. This is how GIZ facilitates change and empowers people to take ownership of their own sustainable development processes. In the field of private sector development, micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) - in both the formal and informal sectors - in developing countries comprise the main target group of German development cooperation. The objective of private sector development is to strengthen the private sector in partner countries in the long term. GIZ is applying a multi-level approach when helping partner countries put in place an enabling political, legal and administrative environment as well as enhancing the competitiveness and innovation capacities of businesses in our partner countries. GIZ follows guiding principles, such as the principles of a Social and Ecological Market Economy, demand orientation, sustainability and impact orientation. Special attention is paid to integrating women as well as poor and disadvantaged sections of the population into economic processes.