Towards Gender Equality in FDI - Expert Interview Series

This interview dives into the topic of "Utilizing global networks and the diaspora to deliver on the strategy".  Featuring Laura Suarez, Global Networks Manager at Scottish Development International and moderated by Andreas Dressler, Managing Director at FDI Center, this interview delves into:  Different approaches to engaging global networks including the Scottish diasporaHow these engaged networks can advocate for and support talent attractionAspects of Scottish Enterprise’s FDI attraction strategyGender equality within Scottish Development International    This interview is part of a monthly expert interview series within the Towards Gender Equality in FDI initiative by FDI Center. Every month, women guest speakers will be invited to speak about a particular aspect of foreign direct investment and investment promotion. These very practical conversations will highlight best practices and explore the intersection of FDI and gender equality.  For more information, please visit: https://fdi-center.com/towards-gender-equality-in-fdi-initiative/

The topic of this interview is “Gender equality via FDI: How IPAs can contribute to SDG 5”. Featuring Heather Taylor-Strauss, Economist at UN ESCAP and moderated by Andreas Dressler, Managing Director of FDI Center, this interview includes insights into:      Why gender equality is important in FDI and investment attraction  The degree to which FDI can play a role in promoting gender equality  What specifically investment promotion agencies can do to increase their contribution to gender equality  The work of UN ESCAP in the field of gender equality and FDI  Best practice examples of IPAs working on this area  The challenges affecting IPAs’ ability to focus on gender equality    This interview is part of a monthly expert interview series within the Towards Gender Equality in FDI initiative by FDI Center. Every month, women guest speakers will be invited to speak about a particular aspect of foreign direct investment and investment promotion. These very practical conversations will highlight best practices and explore the intersection of FDI and gender equality.  For more information, please visit: https://fdi-center.com/towards-gender-equality-in-fdi-initiative/

In this interview we discuss “The evolution of FDI project drivers and the role of incentives”. Featuring Alina Harastasanu, Director European Business Development at JobsOhio and moderated by Andreas Dressler, Managing Director at FDI Center, this interview delves into:     The main drivers of FDI projects and how they’ve changed over time  Insights into the decision-making processes of investors  The impact of US federal funds on investors’ decisions, such as the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA)  Access to incentives or the most optimal location? What really matters in the final site selection  ️The influence of European companies and European ESG requirements on business practices in the US, including those related to SDG 5: Gender equality  This interview is part of a monthly expert interview series within the Towards Gender Equality in FDI initiative by FDI Center. Every month, women guest speakers will be invited to speak about a particular aspect of foreign direct investment and investment promotion. These very practical conversations will highlight best practices and explore the intersection of FDI and gender equality.  For more information, please visit: https://fdi-center.com/towards-gender-equality-in-fdi-initiative/

In this interview we delve into the topic of "how to win and facilitate mega-projects". Joining us for this discussion is Rita Szép-Tüske, Deputy CEO at the Hungarian Investment Promotion Agency. Moderated by FDI Center's managing director, Andreas Dressler, this interview discusses: The team, services and skills required to effectively respond to and facilitate such large-scale projectsWhat role geo-political relations play within these agreementsThe (un)important role of incentives and ROI estimations of taxpayer moneyThe benefit vs cost issue of public opposition to mega projectsWhat part gender equality plays at HIPA This interview is part of a monthly expert interview series within the Towards Gender Equality in FDI initiative by FDI Center. Every month, women guest speakers will be invited to speak about a particular aspect of foreign direct investment and investment promotion. These very practical conversations will highlight best practices and explore the intersection of FDI and gender equality.  For more information, please visit: https://fdi-center.com/towards-gender-equality-in-fdi-initiative/

The topic of this interview is "investment opportunities for a sustainable future". We are joined by Annelize van der Merwe, Director of Green Economy at the South African Department of Trade, Industry & Competition. Moderator, Andreas Dressler, managing director of FDI Center, will be asking Annelize questions related to: The investment potential of the green economyInvestment attraction for renewable energyHow to leverage networking events for investment attractionThe role of gender equality in the dtic's work This interview is part of a monthly expert interview series within the Towards Gender Equality in FDI initiative by FDI Center. Every month, women guest speakers will be invited to speak about a particular aspect of foreign direct investment and investment promotion. These very practical conversations will highlight best practices and explore the intersection of FDI and gender equality.   For more information, please visit: https://fdi-center.com/towards-gender-equality-in-fdi-initiative/

Our fifth interview discusses “cultivating investments through diaspora relations”. Joined by Marina Lamptey, Head of Diaspora Relations at the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre and moderated by FDI Center’s managing director, Andreas Dressler, this interview covers:  The role of diaspora in investment attractionEffective ways of engaging with the diasporaHow to identify relevant decision makersHow gender equality manifests itself within GIPC's work This interview is part of a monthly expert interview series within the Towards Gender Equality in FDI initiative by FDI Center. Every month, women guest speakers will be invited to speak about a particular aspect of foreign direct investment and investment promotion. These very practical conversations will highlight best practices and explore the intersection of FDI and gender equality.  For more information, please visit: https://fdi-center.com/towards-gender-equality-in-fdi-initiative/

In this interview, we dive into the topic of “Revolutionizing the site selection process through the use of technology”. Featuring Didi Caldwell, President of GLS and moderated by FDI Center, managing director, Andreas Dressler, this interview looked into: How the Infrastructure Act and the Inflation Reduction Act is driving large investment projects into the US New trends and criteria in corporate location selection, both in the US and internationallyHow new technology changes site selection processesThe implications of technological changes for the work of IPAsDidi's own experience working in the male-dominated industry and industry progress in terms of gender equality This interview is part of a monthly expert interview series within the Towards Gender Equality in FDI initiative by FDI Center. Every month, women guest speakers will be invited to speak about a particular aspect of foreign direct investment and investment promotion. These very practical conversations will highlight best practices and explore the intersection of FDI and gender equality.   For more information, please visit: https://fdi-center.com/towards-gender-equality-in-fdi-initiative/

The topic of this interview is “Gender equality in FDI: how to put it into practice”. Our third guest of this series, Ana Paula Repezza is the Business Director at ApexBrasil. FDI Center's managing director, Andreas Dressler, will be asking Ana questions related to:   The intersection of gender equality and FDIEconomic advantages of a stronger focus on gender equality in foreign direct investment The launch of ApexBrasil’s commitment to sustainability in the agency’s activities, including gender equality How to gain the support of partners and key stakeholders Measuring the performances of new initiatives to ensure lasting results     This interview is part of a monthly expert interview series within the Towards Gender Equality in FDI initiative by FDI Center. Every month, women guest speakers will be invited to speak about a particular aspect of foreign direct investment and investment promotion. These very practical conversations will highlight best practices and explore the intersection of FDI and gender equality.   For more information, please visit: https://fdi-center.com/towards-gender-equality-in-fdi-initiative/

The interview delves into the topic of “Generating results through investor aftercare”. Joined by Vanessa Séverin, Investment Commissioner for Europe at Invest Chile, and moderated by FDI Center's managing director, Andreas Dressler, this interview covers a range of aftercare topics, including: Why investment promotion agencies should dedicate resources to aftercare The potential returns of aftercare services relative to new investments Achieving balance between helping existing investors resolve problems and identifying opportunities for them to expand Identifying partners in the public and private sector to assist existing foreign investors and obtaining their support How to select priority companies for aftercareThe different levels of aftercare support How Invest Chile has used aftercare to promote gender equality and other sustainable development goals  This interview is part of a monthly expert interview series within the Towards Gender Equality in FDI initiative by FDI Center. Every month, women guest speakers will be invited to speak about a particular aspect of foreign direct investment and investment promotion. These very practical conversations will highlight best practices and explore the intersection of FDI and gender equality. For more information, please visit: https://fdi-center.com/towards-gender-equality-in-fdi-initiative/

Our first expert interview tackles the topic of "Delivering results: attracting investment across Europe." Our first guest, Christina Schiøtt Liaos, European Investment Lead & Regional Director for Europe North at the UK’s Department for International Business and Trade is joined by FDI Center's managing director, Andreas Dressler. Listen to the interview for insights on: The best methods for identifying and approaching potential investorsHow methods differ in the various markets that Christina coversHow to best organize a team to achieve resultsExpectations for individual team members and how to ensure that these are metHow an investor’s approach to gender equality can play a role in targetingGender balance within a team and internal initiatives This interview is part of a monthly expert interview series within the Towards Gender Equality in FDI initiative by FDI Center. Every month, women guest speakers will be invited to speak about a particular aspect of foreign direct investment and investment promotion. These very practical conversations will highlight best practices and explore the intersection of FDI and gender equality.   For more information, please visit: https://fdi-center.com/towards-gender-equality-in-fdi-initiative/