Investment Policy Responses To The COVID-19 Pandemic
Investment policies make an important contribution in tackling the devastating economic and social effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Numerous countries around the globe have taken measures in support of investment or for protecting critical domestic industries in the crisis. Support measures include, in particular, the speeding up of investment approval procedures, the accelerated use of online tools and e-platforms, COVID-19-related services of investment promotion agencies (IPAs), incentive schemes for health-related R&D, medical supplies, the acquisition by states of equity in struggling domestic key companies as well as state loans and guarantees for domestic suppliers in value chains. To protect their health sector and industries in other sectors considered as particularly important in the crisis, several countries have tightened foreign investment screening mechanisms, introduced new regulations or are planning such steps. Other State interventions in the health industry include mandatory production and export bans for medical equipment, as well as reduction of import duties for medical devices.
Related Content
- Mine 2022: a critical transition
- Blueprints for climate finance in Kenya
- Green and climate finance options to support the post COVID-19 pandemic recovery and climate action
- Africa's pulse October 2021: climate change adaptation and economic transformation in Sub-Saharan Africa
- Towards carbon neutrality and China’s 14th Five-Year Plan: Green COVID-19 recovery, sustainable urban development and clean energy transition
- COVID-19, Technology, and Polarizing Jobs