Investment Policy Reviews

https://unctad.org/en/PublicationsLibrary/diaepcb2017d6_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.

Albania

Investment Policy Review of South-East Europe

The Investment Policy Review (IPR) of South-East Europe (SEE) is the first regional IPR undertaken by UNCTAD. It covers seven economies: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, the Republic of Moldova,* Serbia, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and Kosovo.**

The IPR analyses, based on the UNCTAD Investment Policy Framework for Sustainable Development (IPFSD), key features of the national and international policy environment affecting investment, including entry, treatment and protection, procedures to establish a business, fiscal policy and investment incentives, labour market and skills, competition regime as well as regional investment promotion initiatives. For each area, a set of concrete recommendations to improve the investment environment and foster impact is provided.

The review emphasizes regional cooperation in pursuing improved investment policy and promotion practices to achieve a joint strategic goal: attract increased levels of investment that contribute to the social and economic development of SEE economies, in line with the objectives set in the SEE 2020 Strategy.

This regional IPR represents a practical contribution to achieving this objective and further strengthening the ties of cooperation and interdependence within the region. It also complements parallel regional mechanisms, namely the "Berlin Process" that addresses infrastructure and economic cooperation.

Through the efforts of the Regional Cooperation Council Secretariat, CEFTA Secretariat and UNCTAD, this IPR has already brought the economies of the region into closer collaboration with each other.

The recommendations of this report will inform the Regional Investment Policy and Promotion Programme, which will address the priorities of the regional investment reform agenda, aiming at regional harmonization of investment policies with a view to increase transparency, attract higher investment and allow SEE economies to move towards EU standards and regulations.

The follow-up programme will be implemented under the auspices of the RCC Secretariat, with technical support of the World Bank Group / IFC, financial support of the European Commission, and in close cooperation with the CEFTA and UNCTAD.

(*) As a participant to the SEE Investment Committee's Working Group on Investments and Central European Free Trade Agreement (CEFTA) Signatory, at the request of the CEFTA and Regional Cooperation Council Secretariats, the Republic of Moldova is also included in the regional study, even though it is not directly encompassed by the SEE 2020 Strategy.

(**) United Nations Administrative Region, Security Council resolution 1244 (1999).

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.