Promoting FDI in fragile and conflict-affected situations (FCS) Strategies for Iraq Peter Davis, Private Sector Development Expert Gassia Assadourian, Policy Analyst, OECD 16 February 2015, Paris, France

1. PROMOTING FDI IN FRAGILE
AND CONFLICT-AFFECTED
SITUATIONS (FCS)
STRATEGIES FOR IRAQ
OECD Iraq Conference
“Improving the business and investment climate in Iraq”
Peter Davis, Private Sector Development Expert
Gassia Assadourian, Policy Analyst, OECD
16. February 2015

2. 1.WHY IS FDI IMPORTANT IN FCS?
2.WHY DO COMPANIES INVEST IN FCS?
3.WHAT CAN IRAQ DO TO ATTRACT
MORE FDI?
3 KEY QUESTIONS

3. 1. WHY IS FDI IMPORTANT
IN FCS?

4. • Foreign direct investment (FDI) can
contribute to economic development and
poverty reduction, with potential positive
effects on peacebuilding.
• Companies can therefore impact
peacebuilding…
1. Why FDI is important in FCS

5. Companies can impact all aspects of peacebuilding…
Economic development
•Bralirwa provides livelihoods for 35,000 families
•Skills training in value chain
•Providing access to finance for small distributors
Corporatesector
impacts:Rwanda
Security, justice and stability
•Trust and relationships – ‘connectors’ from value chains
•Longevity of investment
•Continued instability & dependence stems from lack of FDI
Governance
•Analysis of what is not working – RPSF report
•Banks use international accounting standards
•Encourage use of international norms eg accounting
Infrastructure
•Encourage commercial value chains, eg sorghum
•Physical ‘stuff’: Kivuwatt,biomass generation, water
•Creation of a functioning financial services sector

6. 2. WHY DO COMPANIES
INVEST IN FCS?

7. • FDI in 25 countries that were classified as FCS
grew at a compound annual rate of 12%
compared to 4.5% growth in the rest of the
world’s FDI in the period of 2005-2012.
• Untapped resources, reconstruction needs and
unmet consumer demand present opportunities
for domestic and foreign investors.
Fragile economies are capable of
attracting FDI…

8. … not only in oil and gas!

9. A number of foreign companies are experienced and
interested in investing in FCS
Source: World Bank (2014), Promoting Foreign Investment in fragile and Conflict-Affected Situations
Does Iraq
target these
companies?

10. How do these companies make their
investment decisions?

11. Private sector in FCS – many roles

12. 3. WHAT CAN IRAQ DO TO
ATTRACT MORE FDI?

13. 1. Focussed investor outreach
• Selected (sub-)sectors
• Selected companies
• Regional investors
• Diaspora
2. Public-private dialogue
3. Continue to improve ‘Brand Iraq’
So what can Iraq do to promote FDI?

14. • Focus on key (sub-)sectors
– Where does Iraq have a competitive advantage? Sector-
specific studies necessary.
• Target FCS-accustomed companies
– Include analysis of companies comfortable with country
risk, and understand what they need.
• Regional investors
– Investors from the region tend to have better knowledge of
the realities on the ground.
• Diaspora
– Relatively high wealth, foreign business experience, and
potentially a personal desire to return;
– Not just as financial resource, but also as marketers.
1. Focussed investor outreach

15. • Regional investors:
– Kosovo used this approach and managed to
attract manufacturer of steel products from
Bulgaria.
• Diaspora:
– Afghan diaspora entrepreneur established the
first mobile services company in
Afghanistan, only one which covering all the
provinces in the country;
– ‘Connect Ireland’ – diaspora as ‘connectors’
marketing Ireland to foreign companies as a place
to do business.
Other country experiences…

16. • PPD as a structured engagement
mechanism can strengthen trust between
government and the business community.
• It can be critical for identifying and
accelerating policy reforms.
– Private sector is better placed than
governments to know what needs to be
improved in the investment climate; can
contribute their resources, such as research.
2. Public-private dialogue (PPD)

17. • Nepal Business Forum:
– Pushed tax and export credit reforms,
lowering the costs for businesses by $10
million.
• Bosnia and Herzegovina:
– “Bulldozer” Initiative, reformed a number of
regulatory barriers to businesses and
investment in a short time.
PPD in other countries has helped push
policy reforms

18. Why would I support a reform from my
government if my government did not bother
asking my opinion? I am not a politician but I
know how hard it is to run a business with the
current regulations. I am not a lawyer but I
can hint at solutions that the government
could decide on and implement.
Zoran Gazibaric, owner of “Nobil, d.o.o.” a mattress company, Trvanik,
Bosnia and Herzegovina
The case for involving the business
sector

19. • Realistic and objective branding and marketing of
Iraq.
IPAs need to open and honest about the situation.
IPAs need regular dialogue with strategic investors
IPAs need to understand and actively address
investors’ needs.
• Continuous efforts t0 improve the investment
policy framework is crucial signal to investors,
demonstrating predictability and commitment.
IPAs need to take active role in helping to fix
investment climate issues.
3. Continue to improve ‘Brand Iraq’