"This paper explores the linkage between income growth rates and foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows. So far the evidence is rather mixed, as no robust relationship between FDI and income growth has been established. The authors argue that countries need a sound business environment in the...

A few Sub-Saharan countries, by improving their business environment, have begun to attract more substantial foreign direct investment than other African countries with bigger domestic markets and greater natural resources. Like Ireland and Singapore, perhaps they can become competitive...

Strong cyclical dynamics, together with an easing of macroeconomic policies in the United States and elsewhere, have boosted large parts of the global economy, into the initial phase of a recovery in 2002. Nonetheless, the global recovery is fragile, because investment spending is insufficient...

The objectives of this Investment Climate Assessment (ICA) are to: (i) provide an up-to-date, fact-based analysis of the business environment for policy-makers in the Royal Government of Cambodia (RGC), the private sector, civil society, and development partners; and (ii) outline priorities for...

This Investment Climate Assessment (ICA) uses a robust methodology that draws on a representative sample of 484 formal firms and 120 informal establishments. The sample covers small-medium enterprises (SMEs) and large firms in both manufacturing and services. Weights were used in the analysis of...

The survey on Lao private sector and investment climate covered 303 firms in six sectors and seven provinces (Vientiane City, Oudomxay, Luang Prabang, Luangnamtha, Xayaboury, Savannakhet, and Champassack). The survey included 246 firms in manufacturing covering wood processing, construction...