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 diaspora
• How these engaged networks can advocate for and support talent attraction
• Aspects of Scottish Enterprise’s FDI attraction strategy
• Gender 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 projects
• What role geo-political relations play within these agreements
• The (un)important role of incentives and ROI estimations of taxpayer money
• The benefit vs cost issue of public opposition to mega projects
• What 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 economy
• Investment attraction for renewable energy
• How to leverage networking events for investment attraction
• The 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 attraction
• Effective ways of engaging with the diaspora
• How to identify relevant decision makers
• How 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 internationally
• How new technology changes site selection processes
• The implications of technological changes for the work of IPAs
• Didi'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 FDI
• Economic 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/