The benefits of an Investment Facilitation for Development Agreement need not wait for ratification by all signatories or approval from all WTO members. Early implementation can be realized through provisions in signatories' GATT and GATS commitment schedules.

Asian countries should enhance regional investment facilitation rulemaking despite their diverse level of development. This Perspective discusses the various courses of action Asian countries could take to improve regional investment facilitation rulemaking and the major challenges they face.

Efforts to build specialized skills in government for negotiating international investment contracts often have little value for reasons discussed in this Perspective; even private firms hire advisors for skills needed infrequently. However, the Perspective proposes special circumstances and...

Countries offer hundreds of billions of dollars for semiconductor, electric vehicles and renewable energy projects, super-charging a global FDI incentives race. This Perspective suggests that countries providing incentives should do that in a manner that results in wider benefits for the host...

On July 6, 2023, 112 WTO members concluded text negotiations on an Investment Facilitation for Development Agreement. This Perspective outlines its contents, identifies its benefits and suggests further actions that should be taken.