Financial support of US$1.3 million over the past three years yields concrete development benefits to recipient countries
7 December 2009 -- For the third consecutive year, Sweden has contributed SEK3 million (US$440,000) to help UNCTAD carry out Investment Policy Reviews (IPRs) upon the request of developing countries and to implement other projects of technical assistance in the area of investment for development.
The latest contribution was announced on 23 November 2009 in a letter from the Swedish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Through this support, the Sweden has strengthened UNCTAD´s efforts to assist developing countries in formulating investment policies and in building human and institutional capacities for sustainable development.
The financial contributions have enabled UNCTAD to support Governments in 25 countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America and Eastern Europe. Recently, Investment Policy Reviews have been completed or initiated in Burkina Faso, Burundi, Guatemala and Sierra Leone (www.unctad.org/ipr).UNCTAD also has been able to assist countries with the implementation of IPR recommendations. Training on international investment agreements and management of investor-State disputes was provided to 15 countries, including Bangladesh, Bolivia, Cambodia, Colombia, Mozambique and Tanzania.
UNCTAD has completed 28 IPRs since beginning the programme in 1999.IPRs offer developing countries policy advice ranging from investment rules and regulations to the role of foreign direct investment in sectoral development strategies or skills development. Recipient countries have overwhelmingly expressed their interest in UNCTAD´s policy advice and its impact has been acknowledged by the international community. Many IPR recommendations have been endorsed at the highest level by governments, and some implemented with UNCTAD´s technical assistance.
