Development Finance International
1 December - Private Investment for Diversification in SSA
A UN, OECD and NEPAD report argues that the private sector is the best means for Africa to diversify away from commodities. Using case studies for Angola, Benin, Kenya, South Africa, and Tunisia, it recommends policies that strengthen the business environment including international trade agreements, public-private partnerships, capacity building for the private sector, and partnerships with donors and trading partners.
30 November - Scaling Up Sustainable Investment in LICs via PPPs (IMF)
Speaking ahead of a recent conference, the IMF identified a leading role for private equity in energy generation (with public sector focusing on transmission network) and telecoms. Private participation would require prospects for making a return, and an enabling environment through sound tax system, governance, and legal framework.
30 November- UNCTAD calls for Domestic Private Sector Development
The Least Developed Countries Report 2010 views the excessive focus on promoting FDI and neglect of domestic investment as biased and counterproductive. Recognising the role of a vibrant domestic private sector in attracting foreign capital, it argues for catalytic support for private sector development and on increasing private sector participation in the provision of infrastructure.
28 November - OECD-LAC Investment Initiative Launched
The first meeting of the OECD-LAC Investment Initiative focussed on investment for jobs and development. It placed the social and development dimensions of private investment as vital to the investment policy debate; identified scope for deeper regional cooperation on investment policy; and need for countries to build capacity in order to be able to improve their investment environments.
12 November - Remittances to LDC Resilient (World Bank)
According to the Migration and Remittances Factbook 2011, remittances to LDCs were resilient during the global crisis, and expected to increase further in 2011-12. Top remitters in 2009 were the USA, Saudi Arabia, Switzerland, Russia, and Germany. Top recipients in 2010 are India, China, Mexico, Philippines, and France. Remittances are more significant for smaller countries in GDP terms. While high-income countries remain the main source, migration between LDCs exceeds that from LDCs to OECD countries.
