Assessing the Case for Extending WTO Disciplines on Investment-Related Policies

In this paper we evaluate the potential benefits of international disciplines on policies towards foreign direct investment, paying particular attention to developing countries. We conclude that, at present, the case for initiating negotiations on investment policies is weak. Negotiations that center on improving market access on a nondiscriminatory basis, especially in services, are likely to be more fruitful: although imperfect, existing multilateral instruments such as the General Agreement on Trade in Services, are far from fully exploited and provide significant opportunities for governments to improve market access.