FIAS – An Overview

A multi-donor service of the International Finance Corporation [IFC], the World Bank and the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency [MIGA], of the World Bank Group, the Foreign Investment Advisory Service [FIAS] advises governments in developing and transition economies on how to improve their investment climate to attract and retain investment, and maximize its impact on poverty reduction.  Since its founding in 1986, FIAS completed over 740 projects in more than 130 countries.

Working closely with governments, FIAS develops long-term strategies, customized to fit the needs and objectives of an economy.  FIAS identifies impediments to productive FDI, designs financially and politically practical solutions, and supports its clients through all phases of transition and implementation.

FIAS in China

China was FIAS’s first client.  Since 1986, 22 projects have been completed, three are underway, and a few are being developed in the pipeline. The projects covered a variety of products, many relating to FDI policy, and were conducted with government agencies at the central level, including the Ministry of Commerce, the People’s Bank of China and the Ministry of Justice.  In FY96, work started at the provincial level with Sichuan, followed by Sha’anxi (FY02) and Liaoning provinces.  Recently, FIAS teamed up with PEP-China, an IFC facility supporting the development of the private sector, particularly the Business Enabling Environment [BEE] sector, in China, to enhance their joint impact on the reform of the investment environment in China.  Of note, is the collaboration with the National People’s Congress and the People’s Bank of China on the development of the legal and institutional framework for the secured transaction part of the Property Law.