Increasing the development impact of FDI: Creating linkages between foreign investors and the local economy in light of the Covid-19 pandemic

Event Type
Virtual Event

Location / Date
Online, 26.10.2021

International Trade Centre (ITC) and the German Development Institute / Deutsches Institut für Entwicklungspolitik (DIE)

This is the 9^th of a webinar series on investment facilitation for development, held in the framework of a joint ITC/DIE project on Investment Facilitation for Development.

Like all ITC/DIE events, participation in the webinar is free of charge. However, it is necessary to register for the event in order to receive the meeting link details (please click here). 

The online event will focus on increasing the development impact of foreign direct investment (FDI) by creating linkages between foreign investors and the local economy in light of the Covid-19 pandemic. The declining FDI flows as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic have brought into light the important role that the government, and specifically investment promotion agencies (IPAs), have in facilitating sustainable investment by creating linkages between foreign investors and the local economy. Such linkages provide direct benefits to foreign investors while also spreading the benefits of investment widely within the domestic economy, thereby enhancing the development impact of FDI.

The Covid-19 pandemic has caused serious disruptions in global value chains as social distancing had severe effects on local production and suppliers, especially on small and medium sized enterprises with whom foreign investors often have various types of linkages. As a response, IPAs will need to assist foreign investors in finding new suppliers when existing ones are unable to continue operating due to the pandemic or when value chains are disrupted. Such assistance can include, among other interventions, the development of supplier databases and matchmaking portals, supplier development programmes, and additional aftercare services depending on investors’ needs.

The online event will discuss options to maximize linkages and positive spillover effects for the host economy including the upgrading of local firms and the design and implementation of investor aftercare programmes that facilitate the retention, expansion, and diversification of FDI while deepening links with local suppliers.

The online event will have the following agenda and speakers:

Introduction

• Rajesh Aggarwal, Officer in Charge, Director, Division for Market Development, ITC

Moderator

• Axel Berger, Senior Researcher, DIE

Speakers

Maximizing linkages and positive spillover effects from FDI to the host economy in light of the Covid-19 pandemic

• Ivan Anton Nimac, Lead Private Sector Specialist and Global Lead, World Bank

Developing linkages between foreign affiliates and the local economy in light of the Covid-19 pandemic – An IPA’s perspective

• Silvia Campos, Lead of Linkages at CINDE

Developing linkages between foreign affiliates and the local economy in light of the Covid-19 pandemic – An investor’s perspective
Simon Galpin, Senior Advisor, OCO Global – “

Concluding remarks

• Karl P. Sauvant, Resident Senior Fellow, Columbia University, CCSI

Hinweis

Während unserer Veranstaltungen werden z.T. Foto- und/oder Filmaufnahmen gemacht, die für Zwecke der Veranstaltungsberichterstattung und allgemeinen Öffentlichkeitsarbeit in verschiedenen Medien veröffentlicht werden. Sie haben jederzeit das Recht, die Foto- oder Videograf*innen darauf hinzuweisen, dass Sie nicht aufgenommen werden möchten. / During our events photos and/or videos may be taken which may be published in various media for the purposes of documentation and PR activities. You have the right at any time to point out to the photographer or videographer that you do not want to be photographed or filmed.