Reliable data are crucial for comprehensive analysis of the impact of globalizations on sustainable economic development and for effective policy formulation. Despite progress, FDI data quality in several developing countries, especially least developed ones, remains insufficient for policy analysis.
To address this, UNCTAD, in partnership with the Statistical, Economic and Social Research and Training Centre for Islamic Countries (SESRIC) and in collaboration with the Central Bank of Switzerland and the Central Bank of Italy, will jointly host a session on FDI statistics and multinational enterprise (MNE) activities in OIC countries.
This initiative builds on UNCTAD's expertise in aiding developing nations, particularly LDCs, to enhance their capacity for collecting, disseminating, and reporting investment data. It aligns with UNCTAD's active role in global efforts to improve FDI statistical standards, representing developing economies' perspectives.
The session aims to unite relevant stakeholders (central banks, national statistical offices, investment promotion agencies, etc.) in OIC countries working on FDI/MNE statistics. Participants will be encouraged to establish a cohesive survey system for data collection and dissemination, enabling data interpretation for policy formulation and FDI promotion.
Session themes:
- Raise awareness about accepted standards and updates for compiling FDI and foreign affiliates' activity data.
- Clarify definitions and methodologies in FDI/MNE statistics.
- Provide insights on OIC-specific challenges like corporate restructuring, identifying ultimate investors, and different participation forms (greenfield, project finance, cross-border mergers and acquisitions).