Investment Policy Reviews

http://unctad.org/en/Docs/iteiipmisc17_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.

Uganda

The IPR of Uganda was published in 2000. It formulated recommendations on how to improve Uganda’s investment framework, investment promotion efforts and strategies to attract and benefit from FDI. It spelled out a “Big Push” strategy of investment promotion requiring a dramatic and sustained set of actions, arguing that minor adjustments would yield mediocre results. In 2005, UNCTAD also prepared the Blue Book on Best Practice in Investment Promotion and Facilitation that suggested 10 measures to be implemented over a period of 12 months and intended to move Uganda towards best practice in investment

promotion and facilitation.

In 2006, UNCTAD carried out a review to assess the extent to which IPR recommendations had been implemented and touched upon the 10 measures suggested in the Blue Book. The Report on the Implementation of the IPR highlights that while the overall implementation record is good, a recurrent weakness in Uganda is the relatively slow pace in moving from conception to realization. A number of key reforms have been rigorously discussed and planned over the past few years, but have not yet reached completion.

These include the modernization of the Investment Act, the development of the Kampala International Business Park, improvements in the railway system and the hydroelectric projects. As a result, major infrastructure bottlenecks —international land transport and power in particular— remain key obstacles to investment.

Other reports: Investment Guide to Uganda, Blue Book of Uganda

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.