Investment Promotion: concepts, strategy and practice

Three Days Intensive Workshop

Introduction

This three-day course provides participants with the knowledge and skills necessary to give you the ability to assess the investment environment in which your institution is operating, whether public or private. It will also assist you to identify and apply a range of measures in order to ensure the efficiency and effectiveness of your institution. The course involves an introduction to the driving forces of foreign direct investment and the current trends; the characteristics of a sound investment environment; investment promotion policies, and in particular the role of investment promotion agencies; best practices in investment promotion will be illustrated by case studies. After completion of the course, attendees are to write a report, supported by the tutor, of what they have learnt and what is particularly relevant to their employers. The focus of this will be on the way they will improve their professional practice when they return to their employers. This will help reassure the employers of the benefits of the programme and help consolidate understanding.

What are the objectives?

This course will develop a deeper understanding of the theoretical and practical aspects of Investment Promotion for the participants and enable them to develop the essential skills and competencies necessary to plan, monitor and control different aspects of the investment promotion function.
The participants will gain a clear understanding of the drivers of FDI and how FDI (and domestic investments) can be facilitated.
To create a critical understanding for the participants of alternative policy frameworks for investment promotion.
The participants will gain a deep understanding of the nature of good practice in policy advocacy, promotion strategy and post-investment services.

What will you learn?

Demonstrate an understanding of the determinants of foreign direct investment and their importance, and an awareness of the concerns and criteria motivating investors in a specific location.
Identify the policies that are most conducive to foreign investment and evaluate the investment environment of a given country.
Maximise the impact of Investment Promotion by choosing an adequate structure, approach and services portfolio, and by ensuring the quality of the services offered. Develop mechanisms that enable the Investment Promotion organisations to influence investment policies through advocacy.
Evaluate the actual and potential impact of these organisations

Who should attend?

The workshop covers materials for all levels from supervisory through to senior level
Managers and directors responsible for transformation, project management and policy delivery.
Experienced managers who have significant futures oriented management responsibilities, and who are interested in reflecting on their own experience and discovering new ideas.
Public, voluntary and private sector managers responsible for leading change and transformation efforts in FDI partnerships, domestic and foreign investment promotion and employment creation.
Academics including researchers and students who are interested in the role of FDI in economic development.

Course structure

For each session there is an activity or set of activities. These are designed to help you engage with the introduction to the theories explored within the workshop.
Your tutor will be on hand to guide you through the course and will expect you to bring to bear personal experience and reflection on the topics covered.
Group work will be required for participants to engage in the workshop. Such activity allows participants to embed the new knowledge within their experience through active discussion and conceptual challenges.