The “Developing a Positive Climate for Business and Investment: A Best Practice Guide” project was undertaken by the OSCE as an update to its 2006 guide on promoting a favourable business and investment climate. It responds to a very different global context shaped by the 2008 financial crisis, persistent structural weaknesses, rising inequalities and the profound economic disruptions triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic. Against this backdrop, the project aims to equip OSCE participating States – particularly developing and transition economies – with an up-to-date, practical reference that links investment climate reform to broader objectives of economic security, social cohesion, green transition and resilience.
To achieve this, the Guide was developed through a collaborative process led by the OSCE Office of the Co-ordinator of Economic and Environmental Activities, drawing on contributions from internal experts, field operations, government agencies and over 15 multilateral and donor organizations such as the World Bank, OECD, UNCTAD, UNECE, UNODC, WTO, ILO and EBRD. The team combined questionnaires to OSCE field offices and their partners with expert recommendations, a literature review and comparative analysis of reforms and case studies across the region. This methodology ensured that the updated Guide reflects both lessons learned since 2006 and emerging challenges and opportunities around digitalization, integrity, gender equality and sustainable investment.
Substantively, the project delivers a comprehensive best practice compendium organized around six major areas: political, legal and regulatory systems for an attractive investment climate; open data, good governance and anti-corruption; government policies to improve macroeconomic and trade conditions; support measures for SMEs and entrepreneurship; and digital transformation as a driver of competitiveness and inclusive growth. Across these themes, the Guide translates international standards and successful country experiences into concrete policy and regulatory recommendations, tools and examples that governments can adapt to their own contexts. The overarching intention is to support policymakers and practitioners in designing reforms that foster a competitive, transparent and gender-sensitive business environment, attract quality investment, stimulate SME development and leverage digital technologies, thereby reinforcing economic stability and security throughout the OSCE region.
Developing a Positive Climate for Business and Investment: A Best Practice Guide
