Investment facilitation
Investment facilitation
Governments have committed at the WTO, and also regionally and bilaterally to make transparent, simplify and digitalise government procedures relating business establishment and operations.
UNCTAD research shows that by improving their digital investment facilitation, developing countries attracted 12% more FDI on average in 2023.
UNCTAD provides an integrated package to help governments meet their commitments.
UNCTAD research shows that by improving their digital investment facilitation, developing countries attracted 12% more FDI on average in 2023.
UNCTAD provides an integrated package to help governments meet their commitments.
1. Needs assessment
Evaluate existing capacity and needs of the beneficiary country in relation to the key elements of the WTO Investment Facilitation for Development Agreement and/or regional and bilateral investment facilitation agreements.
2. Benchmarking
Use UNCTAD’s investment facilitation digital monitor to benchmark against regional comparators.
3. Investment facilitation strategy
Develop a strategy for the beneficiary country to meet its investment facilitation commitments. Options are presented based on maximising impact within available financial, human and political resources.
4. Implementation
Implement technical assistance, focusing on transparency, simplification and digitalisation of identified government procedures.
UNCTAD’s work in investment facilitation
Investment facilitation and digital government: the focus of the World Investment Report 2024. Read publication (49 pages).
Chapter IV: Investment facilitation and digital government
UNCTAD is working with the EU and OACPS to help 6 ACP countries meet their investment facilitation commitments through needs assessments and technical assistance implementation.
Read publication
A dedicated benchmarking tool for SACU and its members to advance the digital investment facilitation goals of the SACU region.
Visit website
A dedicated benchmarking tool for ASEAN to improve its digital investment facilitation as part of the ASEAN Investment Facilitation Framework. Similar tools can also be developed for other regions
Visit website
UNCTAD's Investment Policy Monitor dedicated to investment facilitation.
Read publication
Relationship between typical investment facilitation commitments and UNCTAD’s technical assistance products
Online investment guides
Learn moreDigital information portals
Learn moreDigital single windows
Learn morePublication of information and procedures on laws, regulations and procedures affecting investment.
Publication of lists or catalogues indicating which sectors are allowed, restricted or prohibited for foreign investment.
Establishment of a national investment website for information purpose.
Publication of the information on competent authorities including contact details.
Publication of timeframe required to process an application associated to any specific investment decision.
Information published on fees and charges.
Publication of information on procedural rules for appeal and review.
Publication of timeframes to process an application.
Focal Point responses to enquiries of governments, investors and other interested parties.
Cooperation and coordination of the activities of agencies involved in the management of investment, with a view to improving and facilitating investment.
Availability of online business registration system.
Competent authorities accept submission of an application at any time throughout the year.
Copies of documents accepted.
Publication of timeframes to process an application.
Availability of information concerning the status of the application.
Inform the applicant of the decision concerning an application.
Availability of a national investment portal (or single window) for the submission and/or processing of applications online.
Possibility to submit all documents necessary for investment applications simultaneously (e.g. business registry, national and/or state/municipal tax identification number, social security, pension schemes).
Cooperation and coordination of the activities of agencies involved in the management of investment, with a view to improving and facilitating investment.