Training

Monday 7 December, 14h00 CET
Summit Session: Strategic Reorientation in Investment Promotion During and Beyond the Pandemic

The COVID-19 crisis has drastically changed the global investment landscape. Although it is still unfolding, there is a lot to learn from how governments and institutions, like investment promotion agencies (IPAs) and special economic zones (SEZs), so far have adapted, re-strategized and reformed their investment promotion strategies. This high-level session with State leaders, ministers and CEOs of global companies brougth together the experience and perspectives from the public and private sector to debate investment prospects and new ways to attract investment beyond the pandemic.

Questions for discussion:

• What are the new key drivers of FDI? What does the international business community expect from governments during and beyond the pandemic?
• How can the private sector and investment promotion and facilitation institutions work better together to revive economies, stimulate investment, and channel finance towards sustainable development?

Opening and welcoming remarks and keynote interventions

Moderator

Ms. Fifi Peters
Financial journalist,
CNBC Africa

Dr. Mukhisa Kituyi
Secretary-General of UNCTAD

Opening statement

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Mr. Fahad Al Gergawi
President of WAIPA and CEO of Dubai FDI

H.E. Ms. Mia Mottley
Prime Minister of Barbados

High-level government perspective

See

H.E. Mr. Mokgweetsi Masisi
President of the Republic of Botswana

High-level government perspective

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H.E. Lord Gerry Grimstone
Minister of Investment, United Kingdom

High-level government perspective

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Mr. James Zhan
Director, Investment and Enterprise, UNCTAD

Presentation on Global Investment Prospects and GVC Transformation

See

High-level business perspective

Ms. Karin Finkelston
Vice President, International Finance Corporation

Mr. Peter Robinson
President, US Council of International Business

Mr. Andrew Wilson
Head of Global Policy, International Chamber of Commerce

Mr. Alfonso Libano Daurella
Vice-President, COBEGA

Tuesday 8 December, 14h00 CET
Executive Dialogue on Investment Facilitation and Advocacy

IPAs and SEZs are working under unprecedented challenges in a highly uncertain global investment climate. The economic shock of the COVID-19 crisis may also affect efforts to promote investment in Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) related projects. Since the onset of the pandemic, two important trends have emerged in the operations of IPAs and SEZs: (i) an increased focus on investment facilitation and policy advocacy; and (ii) an acceleration in the digitalization of services. High-level representatives from multinational enterprises, IPAs, SEZs and international organizations will exchange and discuss developments and expectations on what is needed to build-back better.

Moderator

Mr. Jacopo Dettoni
Chief Editor, fDi Intelligence, Financial Times

Segment 1:

Questions

• Given the economic hardship caused by the COVID-19 crisis, is there still room for businesses to follow a robust sustainability agenda?
• What could be the role of IPAs and SEZs in helping businesses to invest SDG-related projects and programmes?

SeeWhatch the video

Panelists

Ms. Alexandra Brand
Chief Sustainability Officer, Syngenta Group

Ms. Tessa Jacques
President, Caribbean Association of Investment Promotion Agencies

Mr. Pierre Voges
Acting CEO, Atlantis SEZ

Ms. Yewande Sadiku
CEO, Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission

Segment 2:

Questions

• Will the digitalization of investment promotion and facilitation continue post-COVID-19 and how will this affect the quality of services? Will further digitalization change the role of IPAs and SEZs?
• How can the private sector support digitalization of IPAs and SEZs in the poorer countries?

SeeWhatch the video

Panelists

Mr. John Frank
Vice President UN Affairs Microsoft

Mr. Deepak Bagla
CEO, Invest India

Mr. Robert Hermann
CEO, Germany Trade and Invest

Mr. Ahmed Bennis
Secretary General, Africa Economic Zones Organization

Segment 3:

Questions

• How have innovative partnerships, involving IPAs and SEZs, played a role in addressing challenges during the crisis?
• How can IPAs and SEZs from least developed countries better benefit from existing international support programmes offered by development partners?

SeeWhatch the video

Panelists

Ms. Maria Camila Moreno
Executive Director, Free Trade Zone Association of the Americas

Mr. Bostjan Skalar
CEO, World Association of Investment Promotion Agencies

Mr. Ratnakar Adhikari
Executive Director, Enhanced Integrated Framework, WTO

Mr. Giulio Centemero
Co-chair, PAM Panel on Trade and Investment

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