As statutory corporations, their regulatory and business conditions may be significantly different from private-sector companies.

"Once you get faculty in a room with the staff of a private-sector company, they can often come to an agreement among professionals," he said.

In addition, the Partnership receives support from many private-sector companies who sponsor programs, projects and events.

But in America, it means letting private-sector companies provide traditionally public services like fire protection, prison supervision and road maintenance.

Federal benefit plans often become the standard for many large private-sector companies.

And there are some very fine private-sector companies that have survived all types of Government economic mismanagement.

These days, private-sector companies that are competing for workers try to entice the best applicants with more than just salary.

The State of Georgia conducts business with many private-sector companies.

It was a huge amount for an institution which, though run like a private-sector company, has its credit risk implicitly underwritten by the federal government.

"If the bank offers money only to private-sector companies, then we might be left out of it."