UNCTAD trains Peruvian and Nicaraguan diplomats in investment promotion

The first workshop on investment promotion strategies and practices, and on the role of the diplomatic service in attracting foreign direct investment (FDI), has been held in Geneva from 28 to 30 September 2004. Following the investment policy review of Peru carried out by UNCTAD, this workshop attracted some 25 Peruvian diplomats posted in Europe. Concrete proposals have been presented to promote investment opportunities in Peru, which is attracting more and more FDI with its macro-economic stability and its growing GDP. Discussions have been focused on the application of international best practices in the context of the situation in Peru. Also, a constructive dialogue was established between the various stakeholders dealing with the business of attracting FDI and the improvement of the work of regional investment promotion agencies (IPAs) in the country.

A second workshop, held in Geneva, from 4 to 6 October 2004, aimed to describe trends in Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in Nicaragua, to explain the investment promotion through the diplomatic service, the relation between the international trade and the FDI, and the impact of the World Trade Organization regulations on FDI. This workshop attracted 25 Nicaraguan diplomats, 7 of whom Ambassadors posted in major capitals in Europe. Discussions led to concrete proposals for an action plan to enhance the work of Nicaraguan ambassies in Europe on focal points for investment promotion.

For more information, please contact Mr. Victor Perez Centeno at tel. : +4122-9075885, email: victor.perez-centeno@unctad.org

WAIPA President visits partners in USA and Europe

WAIPA President, Mr. Kai Hammerich, is holding discussions with WAIPA partners from 5 to 6 October 2004 in Washington DC – USA, and from 12 to 15 October 2004 in Europe.

In Washington DC, Mr. Kai Hammerich is meeting with a number of international organizations partners of WAIPA, and institutions. These include the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA) and the Foreign Investment Advisory Services (FIAS), organizations of the World Bank Group, and the International Economic Development Council (IEDC). A meeting is also envisaged with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) to explore areas of cooperation.
In Europe, Mr. Kai Hammerich is holding meetings with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), the Embassy of Sweden, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), AL-Invest, IBM-PLI, and PROINVEST.
The purpose of these meetings is to take stock of previous cooperation, to identify ways and means of future collaboration in the area of investment promotion, and further strengthen the role of WAIPA as the central global reference point on all issues concerning investment promotion.

Investment Policy Review of Sri Lanka

On 6 October 2004, at the fall session of the UNCTAD Trade and Development Board, the Investment Policy Review of Sri Lanka is presented for peer review.

H.E. Mr. Arjuna Ranatunga, Deputy Minister for Industry, Tourism and Investment Promotion welcomed the Review and presented the government's objectives and policies that are designed to address the Reviews recommendations. Comments and viewpoints were brought by the Ambassador of India, the Ambassador of Singapore, the Deputy Chief of the Embassy of Japan in Sri Lanka, and by other participants in this session.

For more information and copies of the Investment Policy Review, please contact Ms. Lena Chia, at tel. : +4122-9075848, email : lina.chia@unctad.org

Forthcoming WAIPA workshop on Strategic Marketing

As was announced earlier, a regional WAIPA Workshop on Strategic Marketing will be held in New Delhi from 21 to 22 October 2004, and will be held back-to-back with the OECD Global Forum on International Investment (19 to 21 October 2004). The WAIPA workshop will be cosponsored by a consulting firm IBM – Business Consulting Services/Plant Location International, Brussels (IBM-PLI). The programme of the workshop will include three major modules. Module one - Understanding Investor’s Location Decision-Making will cover such issues as understanding investor’s location decision making; objective, the dynamics of the overall FDI market; current global location strategies; recent FDI trends globally and in the Asian region; the TNCs decision-making process; how IPAs can/should interact in investors location decision process. Module two - Designing the Marketing Strategy is to focus on such topics as principles of location marketing; re-active versus pro-active marketing; location as a product: the competitive positioning of the location. Module three - Implementing the Marketing Strategy will consider public relations and advertising, including websites; marketing during interactions with prospects (field work, market research, etc.); “happy investors” as a marketing tool; marketing in lead generation (company targeting and aftercare); and the sales approach. Under all modules Practical exercises will be organized.

For more information contact Vladimir Pankov at tel: +4122-9075610, e-mail: vladimir.pankov@unctad.org

UNCTAD Expert Meeting on Good Governance in Investment Promotion

As reported earlier in our WAIPA Flash from August 10, 2004, an UNCTAD Expert Meeting on Good Governance in Investment Promotion will be held in Geneva from 1 to 3 November 2004.

The role of general standards and policies linked to investment will be highlighted. The relation between elements of Good Governance - i.e. predictability and transparency of government laws, regulations and procedures, accountability, and participation of private sector in initiatives - and the level of foreign direct investment (FDI) will be discussed. How the promotion of good public governance based on best practices and lessons learned from UNCTAD technical cooperation activities, contributes to attract FDI through a better regulatory environment for business ? How the investment promotion agencies (IPAs) can promote good corporate governance ?

For more information, please contact Paul Wessendorp, at tel.: +4122-9074402, email: paul.wessendorp@unctad.org

Other Important forthcoming events

19-21 October 2004 : Global Forum on International Investment (GFII) : Investment for Development – Forging Partnerships
The 2004 annual conference of the OECD, GFII along with associated events, will be held in New Delhi, India, on 19-21 October 2004. The meeting will highlight the role of international co-operation in enhancing the business environment and maximising the benefits of investment in developing countries. The three main areas of focus will be : (i) The OECD initiative on a Policy Framework for Investment as an operational tool to promote investment for development; (ii) Promoting corporate responsibility – defining the roles of government and business; (iii) Maximising official development assistance – synergies for development.

For further information, please see: http://www.oecd.org/document/56/0,2340,en_2649_201185_32233656_1_1_1_1,00.html

4 November 2004 : WAIPA Steering Committee Meeting
This meeting will be held on 4 November 2004 at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland.
Steering Committee members from Sweden, China, Gabon, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Estonia, Ghana, Islamic Republic of Iran, Italy, Peru, Saint Lucia, South Africa, United Arab Emirates, have already confirmed their participation. Among other issues, the Steering Committee will discuss future activities of the Association and the next annual Conference, which will be held in March 2005 in Geneva.

For more information, please contact the WAIPA Secretariat.

12 November 2004 : MIGA Symposium – International Political Risk Management : Looking to the Future
The Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA) of the World Bank Group is organizing the Fourth Biennial MIGA – Georgetown University Symposium for Practitioners from the Investment, Lender, and Insurance Communities on November 12, 2004. The event will be held at the InterCultural Center of Georgetown University. The topic is International Political Risk Management : Looking to the Future – Identifying and Managing the Critical Challenges Facing the Market.

Further information can be received. Tel : 202-687-5895, Fax : 202-687-6033, email : polriskconf2004@georgetown.edu