Preface

Investment is of decisive importance for the developing world. The only developing countries that really are developing are those that have succeeded in attracting significant amounts of foreign direct investment (FDI), and have mobilized the savings and resources of their own citizens. Unfortunately, that is only a relative handful of countries. The rest of the developing world, and especially the least developed countries, are almost entirely missing out — in spite of the fact that many of them have put in place highly welcoming regulatory frameworks for foreign investment and are carrying out other major economic, financial and political reforms. Often, however, a country lacks the necessary infrastructure, or its market is too small and too isolated to be of interest. For many local markets trying to compete, the global market can be unforgiving.

Sustainable Development Goals:

Decent Work and Economic Growth