02/05/06

Do you have any suggestions for the topics of three WAIPA-UNCTAD studies?

WAIPA has agreed to co-published with UNCTAD three studies by the end of 2006. As we are striving to ensure that the studies meet the interest of the WAIPA membership, we would be grateful for suggestions regarding the topics to be addressed by these studies. We are looking forward to receiving your proposals before Friday 19 May 2006 at: karine.campanelli@waipa.org

An ANIMA-IDAL-WAIPA Regional Seminar on Investment Promotion and Investor Servicing: New Trends in IPA Strategy, 19-22 June 2006, Beirut, Lebanon

The FDI market is very competitive and is undergoing considerable changes. The emergence of new players and new forms of FDI are leading IPAs to adapt their strategies. Benchmarking and promoting locations in target sectors, as well as managing aftercare programmes are becoming more and more important. The ANIMA regional seminar, organized in cooperation with IDAL and WAIPA on 19-22 June in Beirut, will cover best pratices in investment promotion and investor servicing and will a focus on: Setting up national goals, Developing the marketing strategy and sector prioritization, Top tips for communications strategy, E-marketing in investment promotion, CRM systems and IPA performance evaluation and case studies on agrofood and services.

The participants' profile required is Mediterranean IPA Management Executives. Please note that this workshop is limited to 6 WAIPA participants.

For further information, please contact: nadia.bibi@afii.fr or elsa.vachez@afii.fr

An UNCTAD-WAIPA Regional Workshop for Latin America and the Caribbean on Policy Advocacy and Investment Promotion, 19-21 July 2006, Cuzco, Peru

UNCTAD's advisory study The World of Investment Promotion at a Glance revealed that by the year 2000 close to 80% of surveyed IPAs had conducted some form of policy advocacy. A more recent study by FIAS, The Effectiveness of Promotion Agencies at Attracting Foreign Direct Investment , found that policy advocacy was the single most effective function that IPAs could perform but that it received the fewest resources. Reporting mechanisms to the highest political levels and private sector participation increase IPA visibility, credibility and effectiveness in policy advocacy. However, IPAs need a systematic and proactive approach to make full use of these advantages. UNCTAD and WAIPA have organised this training workshop to provide participants with the tools to analyse policy problems and effect policy changes that will attract FDI in support of sustainable development.

The training materials draw primarily from best practices--and at times not-so-best practices--around the world. Each case study is followed by questions and exercises intended to elucidate the process of effective policy advocacy.

For additional information, please visit: www.unctad.org/asit

Contacts: natalia.guerra@unctad.org , tel: +41-22-9075651 or isa-beatrice.abel@waipa.org , tel: +41-22-7972663

The 10th China International Fair on Investment & Trade (CIFIT), 8-11 September 2006, Xiamen, China

WAIPA and the Ministry of Commerce of P.R. of China (MOFCOM) will jointly sponsor a Roundtable Conference for International Investment Promotion Agencies during the 10 th China International Fair on Investment & Trade (CIFIT), which is to be held from 8 to 11 September 2006, in Xiamen, southeast China. The theme of the Roundtable Conference will be confirmed soon. Meanwhile, an exhibition area especially for WAIPA members will be set up in the CIFIT exhibition hall.

The annual CIFIT is sponsored by MOFCOM and co-sponsored by UNCTAD, UNIDO, IFC and WAIPA. With its themes of Promoting Inward and Outward Investment, CIFIT is the biggest, most important and most influential event featuring in internationalized investment promotion held in China. Over 12, 000 visitors and delegations from 125 countries and regions attended the 9th CIFIT in 2005. Governments and enterprises from 66 countries and regions introduced over 1,000 investment projects and set up booths, and 7 countries and regions sponsored Pavilion Day activities. The 10th CIFIT will continue providing unparalleled global trade and investment services through exhibition, matchmaking symposia, policy consultation, and commercial activities coupled with timely FDI policy and information releases. China’s Ministry of Commerce will also hold International Investment Forum and dozens of seminars on hot investment issues, with distinguished speakers from the Chinese government, foreign governments, and international economic organizations, as well as Nobel Prize winners and celebrated economists.

In order to support WAIPA members to participate in CIFIT and to strengthen WAIPA’s influence in the international investment promotion activities, MOFCOM will provide 25 free booths especially for the IPAs from developing countries; 75 half-price booths (900 USD/3mX3m) will be offered for other WAIPA members and their respective domestic enterprises. By participating CIFIT, WAIPA members will have the opportunity to establish communication channels with domestic and foreign government officials, principals of the IPAs and representatives from business associations and enterprises, so as to further expand their investment promotion business.

We warmly invite our members to participate in the 10 th CIFIT in China and please register for the Roundtable conference and apply for reserving the Exhibition booths by the end of June. Please note that the registration for the free booths will be on a first come first served basis.

For further information, please contact: isa-beatrice.abel@waipa.org

Annual IEDC Meeting, 17-20 September 2006, New-York City, US

To be successful in today’s rapidly changing global economy, communities must have lightning fast reflexes and the ability to communicate and collaborate across town, across the country and around the world. Like never before, the currency of economic growth is ideas. To tap into the new growth sectors and remain competitive, cities and towns require a new level of creativity and innovation.

The international Economic Development Council (IEDC) and the New York Host Committee recognize the implications of this new, flat world and are creating a world class economic development event. The Annual Conference agenda will present three days of in-depth analysis in five major tracks: “The Cutting Edge of Economic Development: Building Community Through Taking Risks”, “Attracting, Training and Retaining a Skilled Workforce to Compete in the Creative Economy”, “The Nuts and Bolts of Economic Development: Tools for Attracting New Investment and Building Strong Communities”, “High-Impact Real Estate Financing” and “Leveraging Urban, Suburban and Rural Assets for Sustained Economic Growth”.

The IEDC Annual Conference brings together more than 1,500 leaders in business, government, and academics to examine current economic development policy issues and debate solutions. Together they will share best practices, explore new strategies and listen to innovative leaders and the approaches they have taken to strengthen communities, build businesses and foster economic opportunity. It is an intensive learning and networking experience for participants, offering a wide range of dynamic choices, including over 50 plenary, concurrent, and seminar sessions, educational tours and outstanding keynote speakers.

WAIPA members are invited to participate in this event, free of charge. The expenditures for the meals and the accomodation will be borne by the participants.

For more information, please see: www.iedconline.org or contact: karine.campanelli@waipa.org or isa-beatrice.abel@waipa.org