Australia will seek foreign infrastructure money

2019 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Population Growth ◽  
Foreign Investment ◽  
Foreign Investor ◽  
State Governments ◽  
Foreign Investors ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Competitive Disadvantage ◽  
The Government ◽  
Budget Surplus ◽  
Tax Cuts

Significance Tax cuts were announced earlier this month for foreign investment in infrastructure, including transport, energy, water and communication. The move follows concerns that spending on infrastructure is too low for Australia’s projected population growth. Impacts The stimulus does not involve any new spending and will require the support of state governments, which co-fund some projects. Tax concessions will help ease a competitive disadvantage faced by foreign investors, but there will still be market barriers. Uncertain confidence in the current government could depress foreign investor interest. If it maintains the budget surplus, the government will keep backbenchers’ support.

Kenya report reveals financial mismanagement burden

2015 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Investment ◽  
National Government ◽  
First Year ◽  
County Level ◽  
Infrastructure Projects ◽  
Foreign Investors ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Financial Abuse ◽  
The Will ◽  
The Government

Subject Auditor general's report. Significance The auditor general's report on the 2013-2014 financial period has indicated that only around one quarter of all national government money spent and collected was properly accounted for. The report covers the first year in power for President Uhuru Kenyatta's government, which has consistently pledged to reduce financial mismanagement. However, the report, combined with mounting concerns about corruption at the county level, calls into question whether the Jubilee Alliance has the will or capacity to bring the problem under control. Impacts Claims of financial abuse heighten distrust of the government in opposition communities who feel excluded from access to state resources. Rising corruption will deter foreign investors, reinforcing Kenya's tendency to underperform on foreign investment levels. Corruption is undermining major infrastructure projects, preventing the economic gains that would come from better roads and railways.

South African government’s GBV plans may disappoint

2021 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Civil Society ◽  
Private Sector ◽  
South African ◽  
Foreign Investment ◽  
Gender Based Violence ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Management Structure ◽  
National Strategic Plan ◽  
The Government ◽  
Gender Based

Significance Although President Cyril Ramaphosa has publicly committed to increase funding to combat what he calls South Africa’s “second pandemic”, there is a lack of transparency in how the government disburses funds linked to its National Strategic Plan (NSP) on Gender-based Violence and Femicide. Impacts Civil society groups will increase pressure on the government to make expenditure on GBV programmes more transparent. A new private-sector fund to contribute to the NSP has received strong early support, but its management structure is opaque. High levels of GBV will not only have significant humanitarian and social costs but may deter much-needed foreign investment.

Pandemic may drive new wealth taxes in Latin America

2021 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Latin America ◽  
Social Welfare ◽  
The Political ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Latin Americans ◽  
Tax Revenues ◽  
Wealth Tax ◽  
The Government ◽  
Political Spectrum ◽  
Tax Cuts

Significance The region’s current tax and spending policies redistribute very little. The COVID-19 pandemic brought a deep and persistent recession, despite new spending, tax cuts and monetary easing aimed at limiting the damage. In December, the government of Argentina, which was particularly hard hit, passed a temporary (and additional) net wealth tax on the very richest households. Impacts OECD-led transparency efforts offer the long-sought possibility of taxing the foreign assets of wealthy Latin Americans. The pandemic will increase both existing inequalities and the need for tax revenues to finance social welfare and stimulus spending. Efforts to strengthen tax collection more broadly will likely be undertaken by governments across the political spectrum.

Indonesia’s new investment ministry faces headwinds

2021 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Central Bank ◽  
Foreign Investment ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Sovereign Wealth Fund ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Speed Up ◽  
The Government ◽  
Roll Out

Significance The government hopes greater domestic and foreign investment can help turn around the pandemic-hit economy. The governor of Bank Indonesia (BI), the central bank, last week said GDP should grow by 4.6% in 2021, compared with last year’s 2.1% contraction. Impacts Indonesia will count on private vaccination, whereby companies buy state-procured jabs for their staff, to help speed up its roll-out. The Indonesia Investment Authority, a new sovereign wealth fund, will prioritise attracting more investment into the infrastructure sector. Singapore will continue to be Indonesia’s largest source of FDI in the short term.

The legal guarantees to protect foreign investment in Jordan

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohamad Ali Helalat
Keyword(s):  
Host Country ◽  
Foreign Investment ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Foreign Investor ◽  
Foreign Investments ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Legal Principles ◽  
Bilateral Agreements ◽  
The Status ◽  
Investment System

Purpose This paper aims to indicate that the foreign investment system in Jordan includes many provisions that create an appropriate environment for encouraging foreign investments and grant a distinctive treatment for the foreign investor that allows them the status equal to the national investor. Design/methodology/approach This study deals with the protection provided by the Jordan Government for foreign investments to attract foreign investment by studying the guarantees given by Jordan including many legal principles that encourage investment. The legal guarantees for the foreign investor enhance the confidence of the foreign investor in the host country. Findings The system provides a lot of guarantees with respect to non-commercial risks to which the foreign investor may be exposed. Originality/value The paper also clarifies that the role played by bilateral agreements in the field of investments, as these agreements give foreign investments a measure of protection through the guarantees and they are considered as incentives for the investor.

THE IMPORTANCE OF LEGAL AND INSTITUTIONAL FUNDAMENTALS IN ATTRACTING FOREIGN INVESTMENT

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (5) ◽  
pp. 32-37
Author(s):  
Hulkar Azimova ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Investment ◽  
Direct Investment ◽  
Investment Policy ◽  
Comprehensive System ◽  
Foreign Investor ◽  
Project Investment ◽  
Legal Regime ◽  
Foreign Investors ◽  
Legitimate Interests ◽  
Investment Agreement

This article describes the essence of foreign investment, the introduction of a comprehensive system of legal guarantees and benefits for foreign investors. The issues of strengthening the protection of the legitimate interests of investors in attracting foreign investment are also discussed.Keywords:investment project, investment commitment, investment policy, foreign direct investment, foreign investor rights, investment agreement, legal regime, investment visa

New government in Guyana will face challenges

2015 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Government Spending ◽  
Social Progress ◽  
Consensus Building ◽  
Business Climate ◽  
Foreign Investors ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Political Tension ◽  
National Congress ◽  
The Government ◽  
Progressive Party

Significance The government has changed hands only once since independence in 1966: in 1992 the People's Progressive Party (PPP), led by Cheddi Jagan, assumed power following 26 years of People's National Congress (PNC) government. Since the last election in 2011 the government has been hamstrung by a parliament in which a coalition of opposition parties, including the PNC, held a one-seat majority. The result has been gridlock, with no new legislation approved, and continuous disputes over the budget, government spending and agreements with foreign investors. Impacts The election could allow a new government to work toward consensus-building. This might facilitate policies to develop Guyana's potential, and narrow the socioeconomic gap with the rest of the region. If the result is close, political tension and deadlock will persist, undermining the business climate, investment and social progress.

Myanmar regulation reform will spur investment

2015 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Direct Investment ◽  
Economic Reforms ◽  
Business Environment ◽  
Regulatory Environment ◽  
Business Climate ◽  
Foreign Investors ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Effective Administration ◽  
Regulation Reform ◽  
The Government

Subject Myanmar's business environment. Significance The government is instituting measures to improve the business climate and attract foreign direct investment (FDI) into the economy. As part of this effort, on February 24, it instituted the Competition Act. However, while there has been an influx of new FDI, foreign investors remain wary -- largely because of the challenges of navigating Myanmar's old and complex regulatory environment. Impacts Economic reforms could slow in the event of an opposition electoral victory, as the new government gains experience. Improvements to the business environment could be constrained by a faltering or failed ethnic peace process. Regulatory reforms backed up by effective administration could contribute to equitable economic growth.

New party could shift Zimbabwe's political balance

2016 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Investment ◽  
Commodity Prices ◽  
Vice President ◽  
Food Aid ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The World ◽  
Political Patronage ◽  
People First ◽  
The Government ◽  
Ruling Party

Subject Political outlook in Zimbabwe. Significance On February 17, former Vice President Joice Mujuru formally launched a new party -- Zimbabwe People First (ZPF) -- to contest the 2018 election. Usually, such announcements are met with scepticism, given the failure of past attempts to unseat President Robert Mugabe's ZANU-PF party. However, unprecedented divisions within the ruling party mean ZPF may pose a real electoral challenge. Impacts The government's wholesale takeover of the Marange diamond fields could provide fresh opportunities for political patronage. New rules imposing taxes on around 40 imported basic foods means that the government could benefit financially from emergency food aid. Several G40 members could benefit from Zhuwao's stricter indigenisation rules, which bans foreign investment in 'protected' sectors. Such regulation, together with the drought and weak commodity prices, means GDP growth could fail to reach the World Bank's 1.5% forecast. Mugabe's lavish birthday celebrations will fuel public anger -- given the current food crisis -- possibly boosting opposition support.

Fading FDI faces increasing challenges in Chile

2016 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Direct Investment ◽  
Foreign Investment ◽  
Direct Investment ◽  
Food Industry ◽  
Public Infrastructure ◽  
Sharp Drop ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Investment Promotion ◽  
The Government

Subject The fall in foreign investment last year. Significance The government has launched a new Foreign Investment Promotion Agency (APIE) to buck a sharp drop in foreign direct investment (FDI) last year. Breaking with the country's long-standing sector-agnostic approach, the agency will seek to attract investment to specific sectors, including energy, public infrastructure and the food industry. Impacts A more business-friendly administration in Argentina could potentially divert FDI from Chile. Critics of the new FDI regulation maintain that it will dampen inflows. Efforts to attract investment in food and mining services represent a bid to diversify from mineral exports.

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