UNCTAD’s services in this area target investment promotion agencies, special economic zones, and other institutions that facilitate and promote investment at the regional, national, and sub-national levels.
The programme provides advisory services and training packages for investment promotion officials including diplomats. It also organizes networking events in platforms such as the World Investment Forum, in cooperation with WAIPA, CAIPA, GASEZ, ILO, UNIDO, OECD, among many other, including regional organizations.
With a focus on sustainable investment promotion and facilitation, the programme offers research, capacity-building activities, the exchange of best practices and strategic advisory services.
The United Nations Investment Promotion Awards, organized by UNCTAD, recognize outstanding achievements in promoting international in sustainable development.
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IPA Observer
The Investment Promotion Agency (IPA) Observer series is prepared by the Investment Promotion Section of UNCTAD.
Its objective is to show examples of strategic and operational best practice in investment promotion from agencies worldwide to practitioners and governments in developing countries, with a view to share lessons that are practical and replicable for their investment promotion agencies (IPAs).
Investment Advisory Series
The Investment Advisory Series provides practical advice and case studies of best policy practice for attracting foreign direct investment that contributes to sustainable development.
The series draws on the experiences gained in UNCTAD’s capacity- and institution-building work in developing countries and countries with economies in transition.
Investment Guides (iGuides)
iGuides, designed by UNCTAD and the International Chamber of Commerce, provides investors online with up-to-date information on business costs, opportunities and conditions in developing countries. They are developed jointly with governments, and at their request.
Investors: Discover investment opportunities, business costs, key procedures and laws that you need to know before you invest. Visite TheiGuides.org to get started.
Governments: We can help you promote foreign investment to your country through our online investment guides. Get in touch
Global Alliance of Special Economic Zones
Special economic zones (SEZs) can make important contributions to economic growth and sustainable development. Zones can help attract investment, create jobs, boost exports, and build productive capacity.
They can support global value chain integration, industrial upgrading and diversification.
UNCTAD has joined hands with seven global, regional and national associations representing over 7,000 SEZs as part of the Global Alliance of Special Economic Zones.
Investing in the SDGs
Sustainablefdi.org is an online platform created by UNCTAD as a resource for investment promotion professionals, providing relevant content and tools to promote and facilitate investment for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
This platform complements UNCTAD’s advisory work and exchanges of good practices, which are also featured on this site.
