§ Mr. DafisTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development how she proposes to inform the public about the impact of the Multilateral Agreement on Investment on developing countries. [30589]
§ Clare ShortI have made my views on the MAI public in response to Parliamentary Questions and in response to letters from Members of Parliament, enclosing inquiries for members of the public. Officials from my Department are also answering a large number of public inquiries about the Multilateral Agreement on Investment (MAI). My officials have agreed to speak about the MAI at a number of conferences and seminars organised by academic institutions and NGOs.
§ Ms DrownTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment she has made of the capacity of the Governments of developing countries to control the potentially adverse impacts of foreign investment under the Multilateral Agreement on Investment. [30583]
§ Clare ShortForeign investment has an important role to play in economic development which is essential to meeting the international poverty eradication targets. The problem for many developing countries, particularly the poorest, is marginalisation from these global capital flows. The Government therefore support the establishment of a better international framework for investment through instruments such as the Multilateral Agreement on Investment (MAI). In our study of the development implications of the MAI, my Department is exploring how the needs of developing countries can best be taken into account.