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Investment Promotion in Times of Economic Crisis

This course provides strategies and solutions for investment promotion agencies to navigate the challenges of the economic crisis. It covers topics such as attracting investors, strengthening investor aftercare services, targeting promising sectors, and advocating policies to improve the investment climate.

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Investment Promotion in Times of Economic Crisis

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  1. Investment Promotion in Times of Economic Crisis Course for Permanent Missions in Geneva 9 June 2009 Geneva, Switzerland By: Paul Wessendorp UNCTAD

  2. Global FDI inflows 1980-2008 (Billions of US dollars) Source: UNCTAD, based on FDI/TNC database and UNCTAD’s own estimates.

  3. A bleak outlook for FDI in the coming years • Global FDI flows in 2008 are estimated to have declined by 15% from 2007. A further decrease can be expected in 2009, as the full consequences of the crisis continues to unfold. • In UNCTAD’s “World Investment Prospects Survey, 2009-2011”, 80% of TNCs reported negative impacts of the financial crisis and the economic downturn on their international investment plans.

  4. So far, FDI in developed countries have been most affected by the crisis (Billions of US dollars) FDI inflows Cross-border M&As Region/economy a a 2007 2007 Growth rate Growth rate 2008 2008 (%) (%) World 1 940.9 1 658.5 - 14.5 1 699.8 1 205.4 -29.1 Developed economies 1341.8 1001.8 -25.3 1504.1 998.3 -33.6 Europe 920.9 559.0 - 39.3 859.4 561.4 -34.7 United States 232.8 320.9 37.8 389.2 318.2 -18.2 Japan 22.5 19.0 - 15.6 24.6 19.5 -20.6 Developing economies 512.2 549.1 7.2 161.6 182.1 12.7 Africa 53.5 72.0 34.7 12.5 27.0 116.5 Latin America and the Caribbean 127.3 139.3 9.4 31.1 32.8 5.5 Asia and Oceania 331.4 337.8 1.9 118.1 122.3 3.6 -6.6 West Asia 71.5 61.4 - 14.2 33.8 31.6 7.6 South, East and South-East Asia 258.7 275.2 6.4 84.0 90.4 Transitioneconomies 86.9 107.6 23.8 34.1 24.9 -27.0 Source: UNCTAD a Preliminary estimates.

  5. How does the crisis affect investors? Companies are faced with: • Tighter credit conditions • Shrinking profits • Falling stock values • Slower market growth • Gloomy future prospects

  6. …as a result, TNCs cut down on foreign investment • Access to financial resources is reduced due to higher cost of credit, declining profits, and falling stock prices. • Production capacities are adjusted to decreased demand in domestic and international markets. • Confidence levels are low and perceived risks are high, so investment plans may be based on worst-case scenarios.

  7. Worldwide FDI inflows Three different trajectories 1990-2012 (Billions of US dollars) 2000 Scenario V 1500 Scenario U 1000 Past trend Scenario L 500 0 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 Projection Source: UNCTAD, based on FDI/TNC database (www.unctad.org/fdi statistics) and UNCTAD own estimates. Note: The shapes of V, U and L scenarios are for illustrative purposes only and not based on any statistical methods.

  8. Scenarios for a recovery in FDIshort-to-medium term (2010-2012)

  9. But some TNCs might remain committed to FDI • Some large emerging economies remain attractive to foreign investors. • In the medium term, companies are still committed to further internationalization. • New sources of FDI have emerged, especially from the South. • A number of fast-growing industries still offer promising FDI prospects. • The economic downturn offers opportunities for TNCs to buy assets at “bargain prices”.

  10. Policy implications Effective government policy responses to the financial crisis and its economic aftermath - both at the national and international levels – will be crucial to create favourable conditions for a new pick-up in FDI.

  11. 300 30 250 25 200 20 150 15 % Number 100 10 50 5 0 0 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 Number of regulatory changes Share of less favaroble changes in regulatory changes Source: UNCTAD 2008. Number of national regulatory changes and the share of less favourable changes in the total, 1992-2007 FDI policies: regulatory changes

  12. How can investment promotion institutions or agencies (IPAs) deal with the crisis? Remedies that should be considered… Less FDI will mean tougher competition for investment projects. At the same time, many IPAs are facing difficulties in securing adequate public funding from governments that are stretched for money. IPAs should therefore reassess their current activities and provide their governing bodies with plans on how to face the new challenges.

  13. …strengthen investor aftercare services • To soften the blow of the economic slowdown on the established business community. • To strengthen the ties between foreign affiliates and the local economy, e.g. by promoting and developing local supply chains. • To develop a reputation that the host government cares for investors.

  14. …target investors in promising sectors • IPAs should shift their promotion efforts towards those foreign markets and economic sectors that offer better FDI prospects. • The crisis can provide an opportunity to target new types of investors, such as SWFs.

  15. …advocate policies to improve the investment climate • IPAs should address immediate problems that companies face due to the crisis… • …and work to strengthen competitiveness in the long run, through improved infrastructure, legal framework, education, and training.

  16. …and improve the effectiveness of IPA operations • IPAs should review their roles and activities in order to strengthen effectiveness and efficiency. • The roles and activities of IPAs should be adapted to changed circumstances

  17. The role of diplomats Besides activities related to improving the image of the country as a investment destination, diplomats can contribute in the areas of: • Aftercare - The embassy could play an important role in maintaining contact with the headquarters of TNCs that are operating in their country. • Investor targeting - Diplomats have a wide circle of influential contacts, including leading figures in the local business community. They may play a role in targeting potential investors as part of a national investor targeting strategy. • Policy advocacy - Having good knowledge of public policies in their duty stations, diplomats could provide useful inputs to the IPA’s policy proposals.

  18. Conclusion • IPAs could play a key role in softening the impact of the economic crisis on local economies through efforts to retain the operations of foreign affiliates. • At the same time, IPAs should start preparing for the economic recovery by continuous efforts to improve the reputation and competitiveness of the location. • In order to stay effective and relevant, IPAs need to review their operations regularly so that they can easily adjust to the ever- changing economic environment that determines investment decisions. • Diplomats enjoy networks and prestige that can be used by IPAs to assist them in their efforts to attract and service investors overseas.

  19. Investment Advisory Series A

  20. Forthcoming IAS issues

  21. Thank you UNCTAD http://www.unctad.org

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