Economy15/11/2007In Focus: Prospects for establishment of “one-stop-shop” for foreign investors and enhancement of investment dispute resolution system
Investment attractiveness of the country for foreign investors is directly linked with its investment climate. A good investment climate is formed not only by establishment of a favorable regulatory framework and investment stimulating policies, but also by effectiveness of their actual implementation, especially with regard to protection of property rights of the investors.
International experience shows, that inefficient and difficult administrative procedures for conducting business can be a serious barrier for FDI even in countries with fairly liberalized investment climate. To resolve this issue many countries established one-stop-shops for foreign investors designed to provide wide range of services within already established regulatory framework.
Moreover, one of the most important indicators of investment climate is the ability of the host country to ensure security of property rights of foreign investors through effective institutional and legal mechanism for investment dispute resolution.
On 9 November 2007, in conference-hall of the Poytaht hotel a meeting of the expert council on investment promotion was held with the purpose of analyzing the urgency of the issues of establishment of “one-stop-shop”, identifying needs of investors for services of "one-stop-shop” and improvement of the investment disputes resolution system in national legislation. Representatives of foreign investors, think tanks, international organizations, as well as public and private sector participated in the event.
The Expert Council was organized within the activities of the joint project of UNDP and MFERIT " Capacity Building and Strengthening Foreign Trade and Investment Promotion Institutions", which is mainly aimed at providing assistance in development of effective tools for foreign investment attraction. Currently, the project is working on policy advice papers analyzing the prospects of establishment of “one-stop-shop” institution in Uzbekistan and recommending the ways for enhancement of investment dispute resolution system.
During the meeting of the Expert Council, participants exchanged their views and provided recommendations on the subject matter. Implications and outcomes of Expert Council meeting will provide to the national consultants involved into ellaboration of the policy advice papers different views and opinions enabling them to streamline their research activities and produce sound policy recommendations on establishment of “one-stop-shop” for foreign investors and enhancement of investment dispute resolution system.