The Investment Climate in South Asia : Volume 1

This report summarizes the findings of
Investment Climate Assessments (ICAs) carried out for all
countries in the South Asia region. It compares South Asian
countries to countries in other regions, analyzes
similarities and differences within the region, and
identifies the way forward in improving the investment
climate. The first volume analyzes similarities and
differences within the region and between South Asia and the
comparator countries. Chapter 1 assesses the investment
climate in South Asia vis-a-vis a number of comparator
countries. Chapter 2 analyzes the dimensions of the South
Asian investment climate. Chapter 3 highlights the costs
imposed by deficiencies in the investment climate. Chapter 4
reviews the policy recommendations proposed by the various
lCA surveys for the different dimensions identified:
infrastructure (power, transportation), factors of
production (finance, labor market and skills, technology),
regulatory burden and corruption, and risk and uncertainty
(policy predictability, judicial reforms, security). The
second volume provides the detailed and standardized
country-specific data underpinning the analysis in Volume 1.