| 17/08/07
Welcome to Invest in Milan - PROMOS as a new WAIPA Member!
We are pleased to announce that Invest in Milan - PROMOS has become a new member of WAIPA. The Association has currently 218 members coming from 153 countries.
Please see: www.waipa.org
IPAs’ contact details changes
The WAIPA Secretariat would appreciate if you could keep us informed of any change in contact details, either of the IPA itself or of the chief executive/contact person.
Information to be sent to karine.campanelli@waipa.org
WAIPA-UNCTAD Regional Training Workshop on Investor Aftercare for Central America and the Caribbean , 21-23 August 2007, El Salvador
The workshop is being organized in cooperation with PROESA, El Salvador ’s Investment Promotion Agency with the financial support of the Government of Sweden. This two-and-a-half day workshop is scheduled to take place from 21 to 23 August 2007 at the Hotel Real Intercontinental, San Salvador , El Salvador . PROESA is providing simultaneous interpretation in English and Spanish.
The workshop will be hosted by the Government of El Salvador and inaugurated by El Salvador ’s Vice President, H.E. Ana Vilma Albanez de Escobar. UNCTAD will organize the training programme and representatives of Governments and investment promotion agencies from the region are cordially invited to participate and share best practices. The resource team will consist of Mr. Paul Wessendorp from UNCTAD and Mr. Douglas van den Berghe, UNCTAD and WAIPA consultant. WAIPA will be represented by Mr. Ricardo Martínez, Director for Latin America and the Caribbean . The s ubjects which will be covered include: FDI trends: What are global and regional trends in FDI? ; The New World of FDI: Changing Context of Investment Promotion ; Aftercare: A Core Function in In vestment Promotion; Investor Servicing and Targeting Strategies ; The "El Salvador Eficiente" government programme for the reduction of bureaucracy .
The workshop will also include panel discussions on the importance of investor aftercare and cooperation between business, government and the academia, as well as case studies, country presentations and group exercises.
For further information you can contact Ms. Guerra directly at telephone number +41 22 917 56 51 or e-mail address Natalia.Guerra@unctad.org
Workshop on Investment Promotion for French-Speaking African IPAs, 30 August – 18 September 2007 , Beijing , China
To enhance the communication and cooperation between China and French speaking African IPAs in investment field, the China I nvestment P romotion A gency (CIPA) , the Ministry of commerce (MOFCOM) and WAIPA co - sponsored the Investment Workshop for French speaking African IPAs. Among others, Morocco , Madagascar , B urundi , Niger , Tunis , Mauritania , Gabon , Ivory Cost, Congo , Benin , Mali , Algeria , Djibouti , C entral Africa will be invited to participate.
The workshop will be held i n Beijing from the 30 th of Aug ust to the 18 th Sept ember 20 07 . It will introduce and cover the following themes: Reform and opening policy in China, Foreign relationship of China, Status and policy of absorbing FDI in China, Status and trend of the outward direct investment in China, China’s reciprocal promotion and protection of investment agreements, theory and practice of foreign trade promotion, China’s investment promotion work.
For further information, please contact : Wang Xiaoqian, Tel : + 86 10 8522 6587, Fax : + 86 10 8522 6520, email: wangxiaoqian@fdi.gov.cn
WAIPA Round Table at the 11th China International Fair on Investment & Trade (CIFIT), 8 – 11 September 2007, Xiamen , China
WAIPA and the Ministry of Commerce of P.R. of China (MOFCOM) will jointly sponsor a Round t able Conference for International Investment Promotion A gencies during the 11 th China Inter national Fair on Investment & Trade (CIFIT), which is to be held between September 8 and 11 in Xiamen , southeast China . The theme of the Round table Conference will focus on Promoting Investments from the Service Industries – Opportunities and Challenges . 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 I nvestment, CIFIT is the biggest , most important and most influential eve nt featuring in internationalized investment promotion held in China.
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/3 m X 3 m ) 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.
For further information please contact: Mr. Duan Chengwen, Tel: + 86 10 8522 6534, Email: duanchengwen@fdi.gov.cn or Mrs. Karine Campanelli , at: karine.campanelli@waipa.org , Tel.: +41 22 797 26 6 4
The WAIPA Study Tour Programme 2007 in Japan , 11-20 September 2007
WAIPA’s popular study tour programme aims at enabling young professional staff of WAIPA member agencies to visit and learn from experienced IPAs worldwide. The study tours are scheduled for a period of up to two weeks and cover the whole range of IPA activities through hands-on experience and on-the-job training.
Study tours are geared towards young professionals from WAIPA member agencies; the programme is designed to provide participants with the opportunity to gain first-hand experience in investment promotion and investor targeting from successful IPAs. The training is free of charge for WAIPA members, the travel and accommodation costs for agencies from Small Pacific Islands and LDCs from Asia are borne by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD).
Applicants must hold a university degree in Business, Economics, Law or a related field, and have a minimum of two years of work experience in investment promotion. Candidates must be fluent in English. After completing the study tour, the trainees are requested to submit a written evaluation report to the WAIPA Secretariat. Upon successful conclusion of their training, the participants receive a certificate of completion. In 2007, investment promotion professionals from IPAs will be trained by the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) in the period from 11 to 20 September 2007 .
Economic Development in the 21st Century: New Leadership, New Models, IEDC 2007 Annual Conference, 16-19 September 2007, Phoenix , AZ
Join economic developers from all over the world at IEDC’s 2007 Annual Conference in Phoenix , Arizona ! With more than 2,000 attendees from around the globe, it will truly be a multinational event, offering you an opportunity to exchange information, experience and best practices with economic development practitioners worldwide.
This year’s conference theme New Leadership, New Models stresses the need for communities of all types to adjust their economic models and leadership to meet the challenges posed by globalization and technology. The Annual Conference is shaping up to be our best ever and we are looking forward to your participation.
Your voyage starts on September 16-19, 2007 in Phoenix , Arizona , where you’ll learn new strategies, discuss hot topics in economic development, and make those important connections to help you along the way.
IEDC is expecting delegations from all over the globe: Europe , Russia , Canada , China , India , Australia , New Zealand , Mexico , etc.
For further information please contact: Ms. Bauerfeind, email: abauerfeind@iedconline.org , Tel.:+1 202 942 94 81.
WAIPA Regional Workshop on “New/Alternative Marketing Methods”, 27-28 September 2007, Madrid , Spain
This workshop on New/Alternative Marketing Methods which will be held on 27-28 September 2007 in Madrid , Spain will kindly be hosted by PromoMadrid. It will provide investment promotion agencies with an opportunity to strengthen their capabilities in attracting investors. The workshop will include a number of training topics. The programme will be available soon on www.waipa.org .
A recognition diploma will be provided to all participants.
WAIPA-UNCTAD Workshop on “Strategic Investor Targeting”, 3-5 October 2007, Mauritius
WAIPA and UNCTAD, in cooperation with Invest Mauritius, are organizing from 3 to 5 October 2007 a Regional Workshop for Africa on Strategic Investor Targeting. The workshop will be held in Port Louis , Mauritius . Subjects which will be covered include FDI regional and global trends, investor targeting, aftercare as well as exercises on facing the investor, case studies and interventions by regional experts.
Deadline for registration is 14 September 2007 . Limited funding is available for participants from Least Development Countries (LDCs) and Small Island Development States (SIDS) in Africa . Attached is an application form to request financial assistance (deadline 23 August 2007 ).
For further information, please contact Ms. Guerra directly at telephone number +41 22 917 56 51 or e-mail address : Natalia.Guerra@unctad.org or Mrs. Karine Campanelli at telephone number +41 22 797 26 64 or email address: karine.campanelli@waipa.org
iPAD Central Africa, 9-12 October 2007, Kinshasa, DRC
The third edition iPAD Central Africa takes place from the 9-12 October 2007 at the Grand Hotel, Kinshasa in the DRC. This year, the event offers a two day infrastructure exhibition, an open conference and Executive Insider Briefings (an exclusive round-table forum) as well as a site-visit to the Inga hydropower project with SNEL, the host power utility.
Organised by Spintelligent Pty (Ltd) ( South Africa ) and sponsored by SNEL (DRC), Celtel (DRC), De Beers (DRC), the Development Bank of South Africa ( South Africa ) and ITS Telecomplus (DRC), iPAD Central Africa is the only business-to-business forum for investors looking for opportunities in the power, mining and infrastructure sectors in the DRC.
The office of the President will open the iPAD Central Africa conference on Tuesday, 9 October 2007 and the exhibition opens the same day. Local and international companies will showcase their products, services and technologies for the power, mining and infrastructure sectors.
A round-table forum offering delegates the opportunity to meet with Government, public and private sector decision-makers in the DRC and the region to discuss economic issues and find solutions to infrastructure challenges.
For more information, visit : www.ipad-africa.com/central
To register, contact Rue Limekhaya: rue@spintelligent.com or telephone: +27 21 700 35 00 or fax : +27 21 700 35 01
The 12th Macao International Trade and Investment Fair, 18-21 October 2007, Macao of the People’s Republic of China
The 12 th Macao International Trade and Investment Fair (MIF) organized by Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM) and co-organized by eleven local, Hong-Kong and Mainland China commercial and trade promotion institutes will be held from 18 to 21 October 2007 at the Venetian Macao Convention and Exhibition Centre. Last year, 47 countries and regions with over 148 delegations participating in more than 500 business matching sessions congregated in Macao . The main theme of this year’s MIF is Showcasing Macao ’s New Dynamics, Advancing Opportunities of the Trade and Economic Co-operation Platform . Following Macao’s return to Mainland China, strong regional and global co-operation has been developed, in line with the launching of high ranking and large scale economic events, Macao is constantly strengthening its connections with trade promotion institutes on Mainland China, Portuguese speaking countries, the European Union, Asia and other countries around the world. In this year’s MIF, an International Trade and Investment Promotion pavilion will be established specially designed for renowned international Associations.
For more details, please contact Mr. Sam Lei, Senior Management of Promotional Activities Department of IPIM, at: samlei@ipim.gov.mo or at the following telephone number: +853-7989105 or fax: +853-28590309
South African International Trade and Investment Conference and Exhibition in Durban , 29-31 October 2007
South Africa invites all potential investors to attend the country’s International Trade & Investment Conference and Exhibition to be held at the Interna tional Convention Centre, Durban , on 29-31 October 2007. The aim of this event is to showcase investment opportunities in South Africa and also promote the country’s export potential. Key areas of this event entail a conference, exhibition and business matching meetings. To contact us and register as a delegate, visit www.sainvest2007.com. This is an initiative of the national Department of Trade and Industry and all Investment Promotion Agencies from all the nine provinces of South Africa . Trade & Investment KwaZulu-Natal ( www.tikzn.co.za) is one of the provincial IPAs and has been mandated to organise this event, which will be held annually and rotate among the provinces. South Africa ’s IPAs have packaged investment opportunities designed the meet the needs of potential investors. The IPAs also provide great support and assist potential investors in navigating the South African business landscape. We call on all potential investors globally to seriously consider South Africa as a strong and dynamic business destination. South Africa – Alive with Possibilities.
World Free Zone Convention, Kuala Lampur , Malaysia
For the first time the World Free Zone Convention will be held in Asia – during the week beginning the 4th November 2007 – at the Renaissance Kuala Lumpur Hotel. The overall theme is “The growth of Free Zones around the globe - lessons from the dynamism of the Far East ”.
Malaysia is well placed to offer some keys to the future of Zones as they move from labour-intensive and commodity-intensive industrialisation to knowledge-intensive activities.
Jeffrey Sachs, Director of the United Nationals Millenium Project, praised Malaysia ’s success in the recent World Investment Prospects Special Edition. “A look at one of the world’s most successful investment promotion agencies, the Malaysia Industrial Development Agency (MIDA), gives us some idea of the basic challenges. Corporate tax holidays, government grants of land and duty-free imports are all standard tools to attract the initial inflows of FDI. One of the most successful strategies has been to declare a special economic zone (SEZ) or export processing zone, in which the investors will face simple, clear and highly favourable tax and administrative treatment, and in which the basic necessary levels of infrastructure will be guaranteed.”
The Seventh Convention includes an optional Training Course and several optional Workshops on Investors attraction methods and developing a one-stop shop, latest thinking and techniques, how zones should organize and operate a compliance programme incorporating the concepts of SAFE, C-TPAT, and other international best practices, developing business relationships with countries in Asia, how zones can benefit from the move to global supply chains, benchmarking zones master class. Key speakers at the two day international conference on the 6 th and 7 th November will come from international institutions, corporates and their location advisers, zone and port/airport authorities from around the world. More than 120 countries now have zone programmes with varying degrees of success. The Chairman of Port Klang Authority Mr. Datuk Chor Chee Heung will welcome them all in this special year to celebrate 50 years of Malyasian nationhood and to further the aims and objectives of Free Zones around the world.
See the Convention website www.freezones.org for more information or to register.
Press enquiries: Sue Wake, Convention Director, Tel: +44 20 7839 1334, Fax: +44 870 131 9578 Email: sue@icninfo.com |
