UNCTAD/ICC project on investment guides and capacity building for Least Developed Countries (LDCs)
Joint initiative by LDCs, UNCTAD and ICC

Objective

• Create a knowledge tool that will enable LDCs to attract and maintain increased foreign direct investment (FDI)
• Forge a convergence of purpose between LDC governments and investors

Participants and their roles

• Pilot group of 6 LDCs: Bangladesh, Ethiopia, Madagascar, Mali, Mozambique, Uganda
• LDC investment agencies: provide information, participate in policy dialogue, update guides
• UNCTAD and ICC: initia te and supervise project, exercise quality control, disseminate results
• Business champions (global corporations): participate in and contribute to policy dialogue and benchmarking exercise

Features

• Strong private sector support
• Up-to-date authoritative and objective information referencing
• Joint LDC/private sector policy benchmarking exercise
• LDC capacity building in investment-related human resources and policy development

Action programme

• Conduct workshops to finalize guide format, consider best investment promotion practices and policy options
• Circulate benchmarking questionnaire to governments and investors
• Convene investor roundtable to discuss questionnaire results and initiate policy dialogue
• Prepare guides covering, among other topics:

  1. assessment and overview of investment climate for each LDC
  2. FDI trends and business experience
  3. investment opportunities and incentives
  4. regulatory framework and administrative practices
  5. infrastructure, services, labour market and taxation
  6. best domestic and foreign information sources

• Follow-up activities:

  1. Dissemination channels: chambers of commerce, other commercial bodies UN system including UNIC, web sites and intranets, national and international development assistance agencies
  2. Ongoing promotion with targeted foreign investors
  

For more information please contact:

Business in Africa