Investment Policy and Promotion

Examples of Our Work

Colombia
For years international investors interested in Colombia were dissuaded by images of drug trafficking, civil war, and rampant street crime. Despite a vibrant real estate industry and a booming stock market that jumped fourteen-fold between 2001 and 2007, investors remained skeptical. FIAS programs, have worked to change perceptions among investors by promoting the country's well-trained work force, natural resources, prime geographic location, and openness to market economics.

In 2006, FIAS helped the Municipal Government of Bogotá and the Bogotá Chamber of Commerce complete the successful launch of Invest in Bogotá, now one of Latin America's most active sub-national investment promotion agencies. Since its launch, Invest in Bogotá has drawn global attention to Colombia, including coverage in both the New York Times and FDI Magazine. In its first 18 months, Invest in Bogotá facilitated $140 million in foreign investment in hotels, call centers, and manufacturing. When these investments become fully operational they are expected to create 2,165 technical jobs.

Philippines
In the Philippines, FIAS helped the Board of Investments design and implement a strategic investor aftercare program to start building long-term relationships with key investors. The program targets both investors with the potential to expand their Philippine operations and those at risk of reducing their current investment level in the country. Since the program was established, the Board of Investments has been working closely with about 50 of the country's largest foreign investors and has identified a pipeline of potential investments worth an estimated $1 billion.

Serbia
In Serbia, FIAS worked with the Serbia Investment Promotion Program (SIPA) to increase the flow of FDI to Serbia and accelerate its transition to a market economy, in support of the country’s European integration process. FIAS assisted SIPA in developing an operational and marketing plan to implement the country's strategy to attract foreign investment. FIAS provided technical assistance in the areas of marketing, finance, operations, and human resources to 30 companies working to become suppliers to multinational companies based in Serbia. The team also assisted in the first-ever "Meet the Buyer" event in Belgrade, which brought together 15 multinational corporations operating in Serbia—including Coca-Cola, Telenor, Ball, Gorenje, Siemens, General Motors, Kentucky Fried Chicken, and United States Steel—and more than 100 Serbian SMEs from a range of key sectors. The event provided opportunities for the multinationals to showcase their sourcing requirements to potential Serbian suppliers. An exit poll showed that each multinational had arranged 10-20 potential business meetings with Serbian firms.