Connecting to global and regional production networks can provide SMEs and developing country firms significant opportunities to cater to new markets and improve quality and productivity. To enable firms to absorb these benefits and upgrade their position in value chains, host countries must enact policy reforms and programmes, including in areas of investment, services, taxation, education and training. Organized by the World Economic Forum (WEF), in collaboration with the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) and UNCTAD, this interactive dialogue will share examples of successful investment policy and practice interventions that improved host countries’ participation in global and regional value chains and boosted sustainable development impacts of investment for local economies.
Issues for the debate
- What barriers do small firms and developing country firms face in joining global and regional value chains and in upgrading to higher value-added stages?
- What are examples successful investment policy interventions for facilitating value chain upgrading? How can related areas of policy also support upgrading?
- What can leading firms and investors do to improve sustainable development impacts of GVC operations? Which policies incentivise and facilitate these contributions?