The paper analyzes systematic patterns of investment treaty rule-making using a large sample of bilateral investment treaties (BITs). Focusing on national treatment and transfer provisions, it finds that BITs signed between two developing countries are typically less wide-ranging than...

The growing importance of foreign direct investment (FDI) to U.S.-China relations was highlighted when the U.S.-China Strategic Economic Dialogue (SED) in 2008 mandated the negotiations of a bilateral investment treaty (BIT). Intended to further liberalizing investment policies of either...

This paper examines theoretically and empirically the role of political risk guarantees, which bilateral investment treaties serve, in debt accumulation in low and middle income countries. The paper empirically finds that signed bilateral investment treaties with OECD countries have a positive...

On 22 September 2011, the Arrangement between the Association of East Asian Relations and the Interchange Association for the mutual Cooperation on the Liberalization, Promotion and Protection of Investment was concluded. This agreement, though without international law character in itself, may...

In this context, Bhutan can become wealthier through accelerating both domestic and foreign investment, as well as signing investment treaties. These investments could provide not just capital but also bring necessary skills, knowledge and ideas, and help the country move beyond hydropower....