Investment Policy Reviews

http://unctad.org/en/Docs/diaepcb200914_en.pdf

About
The Investment Policy Review (IPR) programme provides developing countries and countries with economies in transition concrete recommendations to improve policies, strategies and institutions for attracting foreign direct investment (FDI) and deriving greater benefits for sustainable development.
The IPR process is country-specific and involves:
1. the review of the policy, regulatory and institutional environment for investment;
2. the identification of strategic investment priorities consistent with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and in line with the national development objectives; and
3. a set of concrete recommendations.
Follow-up support to foster the integration of the IPR recommendations into the country’s reform agenda and their implementation is provided as part of the review process.
UNCTAD has undertaken IPRs in more than 50 countries since 1999 and the implementation of IPR recommendations has had significant impact in their business climate. As shown by the World Bank’s Doing Business Indicators, out of the top 10 reformers among developing countries, half were IPR countries each year between 2013 and 2015.The FDI performance by country also suggests a positive impact. Out of 32 countries for which the IPR was published more than three years ago, 29 have experienced an increase in FDI inflows in the following years. And for 19 of them, such increases have been dramatic, with FDI inflows having more than doubled.

For further information please contact Chantal Dupasquier, Chief, Investment Policy Review Section at: Chantal.Dupasquier@unctad.org.
Methodology

Disclaimer: the boundaries and names shown and the designations used on this map do not imply official endorsement or acceptance by the United Nations.

Sierra Leone

Sierra Leone has important investment opportunities and growth potential in various sectors of the economy. Since the end of the civil war in 2002, the Government has made significant progress towards achieving peace and stability through an ambitious reform programme with a view to benefiting from this untapped potential.

In this context, attraction of FDI has become a central element of the national development strategy.

In spite of the progress achieved, the country continues to bear the impact of the war, including in terms of weak economic performance, human capital shortages, deficient infrastructure network and poor image.

Mindful of the fact that the experience of post-conflict countries shows that the hard-found peace is often fragile, concrete policies are required to generate employment and improve living conditions.

In this regard, the IPR takes note of the open and favourable FDI regulatory regime. The review stresses however that government policy should target the negotiations of a more comprehensive bilateral investment treaty and double taxation treaty network to boost the country´s FDI attractiveness.

Download Investment Policy Review

About
The Investment Policy Review (IPR) programme provides developing countries and countries with economies in transition concrete recommendations to improve policies, strategies and institutions for attracting foreign direct investment (FDI) and deriving greater benefits for sustainable development.
The IPR process is country-specific and involves:
1. the review of the policy, regulatory and institutional environment for investment;
2. the identification of strategic investment priorities consistent with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and in line with the national development objectives; and
3. a set of concrete recommendations.
Follow-up support to foster the integration of the IPR recommendations into the country’s reform agenda and their implementation is provided as part of the review process.
UNCTAD has undertaken IPRs in more than 50 countries since 1999 and the implementation of IPR recommendations has had significant impact in their business climate. As shown by the World Bank’s Doing Business Indicators, out of the top 10 reformers among developing countries, half were IPR countries each year between 2013 and 2015.The FDI performance by country also suggests a positive impact. Out of 32 countries for which the IPR was published more than three years ago, 29 have experienced an increase in FDI inflows in the following years. And for 19 of them, such increases have been dramatic, with FDI inflows having more than doubled.

For further information please contact Chantal Dupasquier, Chief, Investment Policy Review Section at: Chantal.Dupasquier@unctad.org.
Methodology

Disclaimer: the boundaries and names shown and the designations used on this map do not imply official endorsement or acceptance by the United Nations.