The Investment Climate in South Asia : Volume 2. Country Profiles

This report summarizes the findings of Investment Climate Assessments (ICAs) carried out for all countries in the South Asia region. It compares South Asian countries to countries in other regions, analyzes similarities and differences within the region, and identifies the way forward in improving the investment climate. The first volume analyzes similarities and differences within the region and between South Asia and the comparator countries. Chapter 1 assesses the investment climate in South Asia vis-a-vis a number of comparator countries. Chapter 2 analyzes the dimensions of the South Asian investment climate. Chapter 3 highlights the costs imposed by deficiencies in the investment climate. Chapter 4 reviews the policy recommendations proposed by the various lCA surveys for the different dimensions identified: infrastructure (power, transportation), factors of production (finance, labor market and skills, technology), regulatory burden and corruption, and risk and uncertainty (policy predictability, judicial reforms, security). The second volume provides the detailed and standardized country-specific data underpinning the analysis in Volume 1.