The Global Investment Promotion Conference aimed to discuss the shape of the investment promotion and facilitation landscape beyond the pandemic with global leaders in a satellite event of UNCTAD’s World Investment Forum. For this event, UNCTAD in partnership with the World Association of Investment Promotion Agencies (WAIPA), brought together state leaders, ministers, high-level executives from leading global companies, international finance institutions and private sector organizations.
Executive Dialogue on Investment Facilitation and Advocacy
IPAs and SEZs are working under unprecedented challenges in a highly uncertain global investment climate. Since the onset of the COVID-19 crisis, two important trends have emerged in their operations: (i) an increased focus on investment facilitation – particularly aftercare – and policy advocacy, and (ii) an acceleration in their digitalization.
Together with CEO’s from multinational enterprises, high-level executives from IPAs and SEZs will debate their predictions and expectations and what IPAs and SEZs need to do to remain relevant.
Segment 1 on Sustainability (click to see the video recording)
- Given the economic hardship caused by the COVID-19 crisis, is there still room for businesses to follow a robust sustainability agenda?
- What could be the role of IPAs and SEZs in helping businesses to invest SDG-related projects and programmes?
Segment 2 on Digitalization (click to see the video recording)
- Will the digitalization of investment promotion and facilitation continue post-COVID-19 and how will this affect the quality of services? Will further digitalization change the role of IPAs and SEZs?
- How can the private sector support digitalization of IPAs and SEZs in the poorer countries?
Segment 3 on Partnership (click to see the video recording)
- How have innovative partnerships, involving IPAs and SEZs, played a role in addressing challenges during the crisis?
- How can IPAs and SEZs from least developed countries better benefit from existing international support programmes offered by development partners?
Speaker(s)
