Investment promotion agencies (IPAs) in developed and developing countries are increasingly integrating gender equality and womenís empowerment on two main fronts: (a) facilitating greater impact of foreign companiesí operations on gender equality in the host country; and (b) empowering women and promoting gender equality within the agency. In addition, a growing number of multinational enterprises (MNEs) have defined and report on gender equality objectives in line with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 5 of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. This has generated both a demand and an opportunity for IPAs to support MNEs in this area by identifying opportunities where investmet projects can have a positive impact on gender equality. As many IPAs retheir strategies due to the COVID-19 pandemic, they can use this opportunity to mainstream gender equality across their activities.
