UNCTAD has recognised the investment promotion agencies for their responses to the COVID-19 pandemic crisis.
The winners were announced during the 2020 Global Investment Promotion Conference, a satellite event of the World Investment Forum, organized by UNCTAD in partnership with the World Association of Investment Promotion Agencies (WAIPA).
UNCTAD Secretary-General, Mukhisa Kituyi, and WAIPA President, Fahad Al Gergawi, opened the two-day online event.
“The pandemic has brought to light the critical role of investment promotion agencies and other government institutions, such as special economic zones,” Dr Kituyi said.
“As many undergo a re-strategizing process, they need to stay informed of investment mega trends and policy evolution and understand the consequences for investment promotion.”
The high-level inaugural session brought together business leaders and high-level representatives of international organizations to debate investment prospects, new ways to attract investment beyond the pandemic and the strategic reorientation of governments.
The President of Botswana, Mokgweetsi Masisi, and Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Mottley, delivered keynote addresses.
The session concluded with the presentation of the UN Investment Promotion Awards by UNCTAD’s director of investment and enterprise, James Zhan.
Winning agencies commit to innovation
Invest India won the award in recognition of the breadth of the services and information that it has offered the Indian investment community since the onset of the pandemic.
A prime example of its work is the creation of Invest India’s comprehensive Business Immunity Platform.
The platform offers services such as a COVID-19 helpdesk, information on central and state advisories, notifications and government support measures and the latest news on the pandemic.
The Rwanda Development Board won the award for the effective use of its advanced online business promotion and registration services during the pandemic and for setting up partnerships to facilitate and prepare the country’s economy for recovery.
These partnerships focus on the development of new skills in the labour force, securing safety in the tourism sector and the promotion of digitalization, among others.
Learn More: UNCTAD
