Evidence for investment policy

Systematic analysis of investment policy frameworks and regulatory environments.

Comparative investment policy analysis

Cross-country review of policy frameworks, screening mechanisms and incentive structures, for benchmarking and identifying good practice.

Investment climate assessment

Evaluation of the factors that drive location decisions, including regulatory burden and institutional quality, to set reform priorities.

Regulatory impact analysis

Assessment of the effect of proposed or existing regulation on investment.

Investment incentive review

Analysis of incentive design, targeting, cost and effectiveness, with international benchmarking and fiscal impact analysis.

Sector studies

In-depth analysis of investment patterns, determinants and policy approaches for specific sectors, to inform targeting.

Methods: Policy document analysis, comparative institutional analysis, stakeholder consultation, case studies.

Quantitative analysis using established economic modelling techniques.

Computable general equilibrium (CGE) modelling

Economy-wide scenario analysis, including large-scale FDI inflows and structural change. Platforms: GEMPACK, GAMS.

Partial equilibrium modelling

Sector-specific market analysis of supply, demand and investment responses to policy change.

Input–output analysis

Economic contribution and project impact assessment, covering direct, indirect and induced effects, using national input–output tables.

Econometric analysis

Panel, time-series and cross-sectional methods to estimate investment determinants and policy effects, and to forecast. Tools: Stata, R, Python.

Rigorous evaluation of investment promotion programs and economic development interventions.

Impact evaluation design

Evaluation frameworks, identification strategies and data requirements analysis.

Counterfactual analysis

Difference-in-differences, propensity score matching, instrumental variables, regression discontinuity and synthetic control.

Cost–benefit analysis

Systematic assessment of program costs and benefits, net present value and sensitivity analysis.

Process evaluation

Implementation analysis, organisational effectiveness and operational efficiency.

Data: Firm-level microdata (business registers, administrative data), program participation records and outcome variables.

Research on how investment promotion agencies are organised and how well they perform.

IPA organisational models

Comparative analysis of institutional structures, governance and operating models.

Performance measurement

Indicators and measurement systems for investment promotion.

International benchmarking

Systematic comparison of IPA practices and outcomes with statistical analysis.

Good-practice documentation

Evidence synthesis and systematic review of international experience.

Methods: Institutional analysis, comparative case studies, survey research, statistical benchmarking.

Systematic review and synthesis of research evidence for policy.

Literature reviews

Comprehensive reviews of academic and policy literature.

Evidence mapping

Systematic identification and categorisation of research evidence.

Meta-analysis

Statistical synthesis across studies to identify robust findings.

Policy briefs

Accessible summaries of research evidence for policymakers.

Applications: Policy development, strategy formulation, program design.

Technical support and training for government teams.

Technical advisory

Policy and strategy development with an analytical foundation, evaluation frameworks and technical peer review.

Capacity building

Training in economic analysis, program evaluation methodology, data analysis and research methods.

Format: Workshops, training courses and technical assistance programs.