Aninvestment promotion agency (IPA) is most often a government agency (or occasionally a non-profit organization functioning similar to a chamber of commerce or business consulting corporation) whose mission is to attract investment to a country, state, region or city. They do this through the use of marketing activities by creating awareness about a location as an attractive destination for investment[1] Generally, IPAs have four core functions: image building of FDI hosting country, investment generation, project management and aftercare services. While IPAs play an important role in attracting investment to developed countries[2] some IPAs have additional advocacy function.
The IPA does this by introducing investors with local suppliers (raw materials or other inputs); providing useful statistical data and business information such as macroeconomic indicators (GNP, GDP, HDI, inflation etc.), labor productivity, average wages, attractive sectors of domestic economy; practical support like securing permits or completing other administrative obligations; and by managing any investment incentives that the city, state or country may offer to foreign investors (companies or individuals).[3]
