Industry Competitiveness

Examples of Our Work

Special Economic Zones (SEZs)

Between 2005 and 2007, FIAS assisted the government of Panama in developing legislation to transform the 2,005 hectares encompassing the Howard US Air Force Base into an SEZ. The legislation also created the Panama Pacifico Agency to oversee the transformation. This initial framework remains in place and has been the key cultivating vibrant private sector investment within the SEZ.

Today the project continues to attract investment from firms such as Dell Computer, Singapore Technologies, 3M, and Caterpillar. This investment has generated more than 3,000 jobs with average salaries three times the national average. According to the developer's plans, approved by Panama's Cabinet of Ministers in December 2007, the SEZ is expected to both add approximately 20,000 jobs and attract $3 billion in FDI over the next 20 years.

Agribusiness

FIAS has provided agribusiness expertise in Mali and India. In Mali, the Industry Competitiveness team provided an agribusiness sector analysis of the onion, potato, tomato, and mango value chains that will guide upcoming FIAS work on comprehensive investment climate reform. In India, the Industry Competitiveness team supported FIAS' South Asia unit in helping Bihar—the country's poorest state—organize a public-private sector conference focusing on increasing competitiveness in the Agribusiness Sector. The conference resulted in a formal agreement to create public-private consultative groups under the guidance of the Bihar Development Council. FIAS also undertook agribusiness sub-sector analyses on the sugar and maize industries in Bihar to assist the government in implementing reform that will promote the competitiveness and growth potential of these industries.

Tourism

The Industry Competitiveness team supported the implementation of Mozambique's Tourism Anchor Investments Program, a $1 billion project that will build four anchor coastline resorts and create 30,000 jobs. This program plans to stimulate tourism investment in Mozambique through a practical, hands-on approach featuring proactive project development in selected tourism zones supported by complementary advisory services in SME linkages and community development.