United Nations Conference on Trade and Development: 2019 World Investment Report

Excerpt:

The World Investment Report supports policymakers by monitoring global and
regional foreign direct investment trends and documenting national and international
investment policy developments. The policy chapter of this year’s report takes stock
of efforts being made towards the reform of international investment agreements
and surveys new measures.

Inclusive sustainable development depends on a global policy environment that
is conducive to cross-border investment. Last year, global flows of foreign direct
investment fell by 13 per cent, to $1.3 trillion. This represents the lowest level
since the global financial crisis and underlines the lack of growth in international
investment this decade. The significant acceleration required to meet the investment
needs associated with the Sustainable Development Goals is not yet apparent. We
need to raise ambition on climate action, address debt vulnerabilities and reduce
trade tensions to foster environments that are conducive to scaling up long-term
and sustainable investments.

Among the most important instruments for attracting investment are Special
Economic Zones. The number of zones around the world has grown rapidly this
decade to more than 5,000, with many more planned. This World Investment
Report provides an overview of the global SEZ landscape and offers advice on
how to respond to fundamental challenges for zones posed by the sustainable
development imperative, the new industrial revolution and changing patterns of
international production.