If the top Global markets are spoilt for choice, and middle class ... be it in the third world or the first, is saturated ... the matrix of business values can easily justify catering to the BOP. Say I have a cotton plant in Alabama. One need not be a genius to fiugre out that an Alabama cotton plant is a no go. Why don't I set up my old and aging junk machinery in say Brazil or India, and produce for the local BOP market. Here's the kicker ... by saving American jobs, I can reach into the US sustainability industry pot-of-gold thanks to my local politicos! And export knowledge, IP, design's...this is also called business.
In due time, I have seeded the BOP mass mart and work towards a windfall payout. Good to quote here the example of one Swedish match Co. who turned thier focus on India.
I also take issue with your use of data from 1990. It's ben 19 yrs....that's an unacceptable long time for data sensitive 21st century. Note that the pace of poverty alleviation is accelerating for past 25 yrs., albeit not mirroring your investment banking type returns.
