Investment Facilitation: History and the latest developments in the structured discussions

This negotiating brief was prepared for the Geneva Seminar on the Joint Statement Initiative (JSI) devoted to investment facilitation held on January 28, 2020.

The brief outlines the history and developments of investment-related discussions in the World Trade Organization (WTO) context, looking specifically at investment facilitation at the WTO as well as in other forums and contexts. 

This material has been produced with funding by UK aid from the UK Government. It was produced as part of the TAF2+ Umbrella Grant Project on New WTO Issues, which covers the areas of investment facilitation, electronic commerce, and micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs).

The Umbrella Grant is a project of the Trade and Investment Advocacy Fund (TAF2+), and implemented by the International Institute for Sustainable Development, in consortium with CUTS, BKP Economic Advisors, and InterAnalysis. The papers for our Geneva Seminars benefited from the review of our editorial oversight committee, including Nathalie Bernasconi-Osterwalder, Rashid Kaukab, Julien Grollier, Susan Joekes, Julian Mukiibi and Marília Maciel. Views expressed in the publication are the authors' own and do not necessarily reflect HM Government’s official positions or those of TAF2+.