Public–Private Partnerships in State-Building and Recovery from Conflict John Bray, Control Risks Summary  Collaboration between government and business is especially important in states that are recovering from conflict. However, the relationship between the public and private sectors has all too often been undermined by mutual distrust and poor communication.  While acknowledging the differences between the two sectors, policy-makers should actively seek out partnership opportunities between them.  Both public- and private-sector agencies need to be sensitive to the ways in which all their actions, even those that appear purely ‘technical’, can influence the risk of conflict, for better or for worse.  Specialist companies may contribute in policy areas such as legal, financial and security-sector reform. The most important contribution of the private sector as a whole will be for companies to concentrate on their core commercial activities, create jobs and pay taxes.  Success demands a focus on local solutions for local problems, and a willingness to select the most appropriate ‘tools’, whether from government, civil society or business. BRIEFING PAPER INTERNATIONAL SECURITY PROGRAMME ISP BP 06/01 SEPTEMBER 2006 RTI employees inspect a wastewater treatment plant that has not worked in 8 years. During the war the tanks were used by Iraqi soldiers to store petroleum products. USAID partner RTI is finding solutions for the ageing, poorly maintained water and wastewater infrastructures. Source: www.usaid.gov. Photo: Thomas Hartwell