On 15thSeptember 2023, the Investment Facilitation for Development (IFD) WorkingSession, organized by the Permanent Mission of China to the WTO,hosted by theFriends of Investment Facilitation for Development (FIFD), was successfullyheld at WTO Public Forum 2023 in Geneva.
During hiskeynote speech,Ambassador Li Chenggang, Permanent Representative of China tothe WTO pointed out that the IFD Agreement, concluded on 6th July by over 110WTO members, is a global action to revitalize the global economy, amultilateral action to reinforce the Multilateral Trading System,and a pro-development action for developing members. AmbassadorLi encouraged all WTO members to engage in the IFD initiative towards aconcrete MC13 outcome next year.
AmbassadorJung Sung Park, Deputy Representative of the Republicof Korea and co-Coordinator of the WTO Structured Discussions on InvestmentFacilitation for Development, introduced the latest development and the wayforward of IFD initiative. Dr. Maha Gabbani,Deputy Representative of SaudiArabia to the WTO, share her views on the value added of IFD Agreement todeveloping countries and LDCs, as well as the WTO. Mr. Stephen Karingi,Director of the Regional Integration&Trade Division at UNECA explored the synergiesbetween the IFD Agreement and AfCFTA, with the aim to attracting FDI forAfrican members.
During thissession, Ambassador Maira Mariela MACDONAL ALVAREZ, Permanent Representative ofBolivia to the WTO, announced Bolivia’s participation in the IFD initiative.
Ambassador SofiaBoza, Moderator of this session, Permanent Representative of Chile to the WTOand co-Coordinator of the WTO Structured Discussions on Investment Facilitationfor Development welcomed Tonga, Bolivia to join the IFD initiative upon their request.
Morethan 100 officials and scholars attended the meeting in person.
