Build a City Investment Promotion Agency

A city investment promotion function (center, office or desk) plays a number of different roles as it works to attract investment. It will:

• Develop an investment promotion strategy.
• Link to the national/regional IPA and other relevant bodies, e.g., relevant ministries, industrial zones, export-processing zones, etc.
• Provide guidance and information to investors.
• Forge alliances with the private sector, business associations and other partners.
• Market the opportunities available in the city and surrounding areas.
• Research and target potential investors.
• Facilitate investment.
• Provide aftercare services/support and policy advocacy.

In order to accomplish these goals, a city IPI needs a trained staff, a vision or mission, a budget, and networks:

• The staff must have a strong grasp of drivers of investment and the needs of business.
• The vision or mission must be clearly defined and be aligned with that of the national IPI.
• With regard to budget, the IPI may be an agency or a division or desk of the city government, but it must be adequately funded to carry out its mandate.
• The IPI must have networks to draw from in the city, the country, and overseas.

For more detailed information on each of these points, see:

• Handbook for Promoting Foreign Direct Investment in Medium-Size, Low-Budget Cities in Emerging Markets
• World Bank Group Investment Generation Toolkit