The Business 20 (B20) is a forum of global business leaders that provides policy recommendations to the Group of 20 (G20) countries. It includes representatives from countries that account for approximately 80% of global GDP. Since 2013, BCG has collaborated with the forum as a knowledge partner on select task forces under the guidance of Global Chairman Emeritus Hans-Paul Bürkner.
The goal of the B20's work is to improve policy making, drive strong and sustainable economic growth, and establish appropriate economic governance. Each year, membership in the B20 ranges from 500 to 1,000 of the most influential business leaders. The forum is organized by topic task forces that are determined by the host country to reflect priorities in global business and economic governance.
BCG has tapped both our people and our insights to help identify the policy changes that can most improve economic, social, and environmental outcomes on key issues such as trade, investment, infrastructure, human capital, and financing for growth.
B20 Brazil's theme was "Inclusive Growth for a Sustainable Future." This B20 cycle operated through eight task forces and one action council.
Trade and Investment Task Force
BCG is the knowledge partner for the B20 Trade and Investment Task Force, which includes the participation of more than 180 business leaders from all G20 countries and from 16 different business sectors.
The Task Force provided recommendations to the G20 to foster a more open, resilient and sustainable global trading system. Recommendations covered the following three main topics:
1. Enhance trade and investment governance.
2. Foster resilience and sustainability in global value chains.
3. Increase trade efficiency.
Women in Trade Initiative
BCG is also the knowledge partner for the G20-B20 collaboration called "Women in Trade." The initiative aims to map the main challenges that impact women's and women-owned businesses' participation in international trade.
B20, in partnership with BCG, conducted a survey with the private sector across all G20 countries to identify these challenges, from which insights generated supported discussions of the G20 Trade and Investment Working Group on the topic of women in trade.
This year, the Trade and Investment Task Force tackled three critical and urgent debates: First, how can we strengthen the multilateral trade system? Second, what steps can we take to build more sustainable and resilient global supply chains? And third, in what ways can digitalization revolutionize trade and trade financing?
Trade can be a catalyst for the decarbonization of economies. By bringing the intersection of trade and sustainability to the forefront of its discussions, the Trade and Investment Task Force addressed how international trade can drive sustainable growth and climate action.
BCG's Daniel Azevedo, managing director and senior partner, discusses BCG’s role as knowledge partner for the B20 Trade and Investment Task Force. BCG supported the task force in developing recommendations for G20 countries, focusing on improving global trade governance, fostering sustainable value chains, and promoting more efficient trade.
Masao Ukon, managing director and senior partner at BCG, interviews Dan Ioschpe, chair of B20 Brazil. They discuss the B20’s role in advancing climate action, focusing on a fair net zero transition, and the importance of enhancing global supply chain resilience. Dan also shares advice for future B20 editions, emphasizing the need to continue building on the successes of past initiatives.
Santino Lacanna, a partner at BCG, discusses the crucial intersection of trade and sustainability in the B20 agenda. As a knowledge partner of the B20 Trade and Investment Task Force, BCG supported the development of recommendations to promote sustainable global value chains through initiatives such as regulatory harmonization and agreements to facilitate the flow of environmentally friendly goods and services.
Check the complete recommendations from B20 Trade and Investment Task Force to the G20 to foster a more open, inclusive and resilient global trade and investment landscape.
