The 2nd edition of the WAIPA Global FDI Masterclass Series launched last week with its inaugural session, “Elevating Investment Facilitation: Strategic Case Insights.” This high-level session convened investment promotional officials to examine how investment facilitation is evolving into a transformative pillar of economic development, ensuring long-term investor retention and sustainable growth.

Investment Promotion to Strategic Facilitation: A Paradigm Shift

Opening the session, WAIPA Executive Director & CEO, Ismail Ersahin, underscored the necessity for IPAs to move beyond traditional promotion strategies:

“IPAs must transition from mere promotion to becoming strategic enablers of investment success, ensuring investors are supported at every stage of their journey.”

This sentiment was further reinforced by Ivan Nimac, Global Lead for Investment Policy & Promotion, Prosperity Vice Presidency, World Ban who presented findings from a comprehensive survey of 113 IPAs worldwide, emphasizing:

  • Investment facilitation is no longer discretionary—it has become the cornerstone of investment retention and expansion strategies.
  • The WTO Investment Facilitation for Development (IFD) Agreement, the first-ever global investment facilitation framework, represents a significant milestone in global investment governance.
  • The AfCFTA Protocol on Investment is poised to reshape Africa’s investment ecosystem, embedding facilitation provisions that streamline cross-border investment processes.
  • A holistic investment lifecycle approach is imperative—IPAs must adopt a long-term perspective that extends beyond attraction to encompass sustained investor engagement and policy coherence.

Case Studies: Effective Investment Facilitation in Practice

The session featured compelling case studies that illustrated how effective facilitation mechanisms can translate into concrete investment outcomes:

  • Invest Cyprus – Mr. Menelaos Xenophontos demonstrated how streamlining approval processes has strengthened Cyprus’s position as a global investment hub, accelerating FDI inflows.
  • ANPI Comoros – Mr. Mohammed Housseni Madi showcased how strategic facilitation measures facilitated the launch of a pioneering higher education project, enhancing the nation’s competitive standing.
  • Enterprise Armenia – Mr. Vahagn Mughnetsyan detailed the structured facilitation mechanisms that enabled the successful execution of a $1 billion tourism infrastructure investment, transforming vision into reality.
  • NIPDB Namibia – Mr. Shepard Mathias provided an analytical overview of six facilitation case studies, highlighting the impact of streamlined investor services, regulatory efficiencies, and sector-specific policy interventions in catalyzing sustainable investment.

Key Policy Considerations for IPAs

  • Facilitation fosters reinvestment. Investors who experience streamlined facilitation processes are more likely to expand operations and reinvest capital.
  • Technology-driven facilitation is the future. AI-driven investor services, blockchain-enabled transparency, and digital one-stop platforms are revolutionizing facilitation frameworks.
  • Investment facilitation requires a lifecycle approach. Effective facilitation encompasses the entire investor journey—from attraction to post-establishment services—ensuring long-term economic impact.

Looking Ahead: Advancing Investment Facilitation for Sustainable Growth

Building upon the insights from this foundational session, the WAIPA Global FDI Masterclass Series will continue with its second session, focusing on investment opportunities in renewable energy:

Session 2: Renewable Energy Frontiers – Unlocking Investment in Solar & Wind
Date: 25th April 2025
Time: 2:00 – 3:00 PM (CET)

This session will provide an in-depth exploration of strategic investment frameworks for solar and wind energy, offering global case studies and policy insights into harnessing renewable energy for sustainable development.

WAIPA remains committed to equipping IPAs with the knowledge and tools necessary to navigate the evolving investment landscape, fostering resilience and competitiveness in the global economy.

For further information or inquiries, please contact Ms. Eva Salamon Kaplan, Senior Communication Specialist, at [email protected]