Learning Guide

Welcome to Towards the Next Generation of IPAs (Part 1) from the Trade and Investment
Division of the Trade and Integration Sector of the Inter-American Development Bank. This
Learning Guide will serve as the navigation chart for your learning experience. Please review
the contents closely and refer to them throughout the course.

Table of Contents

Goals and Objectives ..................................................................................................................2

Course Requirements .................................................................................................................2
Pace and Structure .....................................................................................................................2
Module Objectives ...................................................................................................................3
Learning Activities .......................................................................................................................4
Assessment ................................................................................................................................4
Course Policies ...........................................................................................................................4
Digital Badge ..............................................................................................................................5
Technical and Expert Assistance ................................................................................................5
Course Schedule and Checklist ..................................................................................................6
Goals and Objectives
The main goal of this course is to enable participants to develop a more focused strategy to
bolster their country or territory as a favorable destination for foreign direct investment. The
course covers aspects viewed as key characteristics of investment promotion agencies, namely
an IPA’s functions, organization, and purpose, strategic inward investment, including
sustainable development, and the services which may facilitate business start-up and
expansion.

After completing this course, you will be able to:

• Provide arguments to validate the impact of foreign direct investment (FDI) attraction
and its importance to economic development.
• Describe characteristics of sustainable FDI and explain the relationship to the
sustainable development agenda.
• Articulate different types of FDI, institutional best practices, and innovative programs, as
well as the resources necessary to replicate them in your home country/territory.
• Develop an appropriate portfolio of services throughout the investment generation
project cycle based on theory and practical knowledge.

Course Requirements
We want you to successfully complete the course and have an enjoyable learning experience.
Please take note of the following course requirements:

● Familiarity with the topic of foreign direct investments (FDI) (required).

● A university degree and three (3) years of work experience in investment promotion,
exports, or in an economic development organization (preferred).
● Intermediate level of English proficiency.
● An available time commitment of about five hours per module (total of 20 hours).
● A work supervisor/colleague with whom you can consult each week for feedback on
course activities.

Pace and Structure

This is a self-paced course, which means you have freedom to complete the course at your own
pace, within the timeframe specified of six (6) weeks.

It also means that you will not be interacting with an instructor. Instead, the course activities are
designed for you to consider in the context of your own country or region and then transfer your
learning to the workplace. You will be asked to solicit feedback on these activities from a work
colleague, such as your supervisor, who can support your professional development.
Throughout the course, you will also interact with members of your cohort, as you reflect on
aspects of the activities and conversations with your supervisors.

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The course is structured according to modules. There are four modules. Each module focuses
on a particular topic and includes learning resources, activities, and an assessment. Each
module is designed to take about four to five hours, spread out over about one week.

Module 1 Module 2 Module 3 Module 4

5 hours 5 hours 5 hours 5 hours

Week 1 – Course start Week 6 – Course end

Module Objectives

Module 1 - FDI and the IPA: Definition, Function, Strategy, Development, and
Organizational Services

1.1. Summarize what foreign direct investment (FDI) is and its impact on local economies
1.2. Explain the role of multinational companies and other investors in FDI and how they
determine locations for FDI
1.3. List an investment promotion agency’s (IPA) broad activities and the functions common to
all IPAs.
1.4. Describe important factors related to an IPA’s organizational and institutional structure,
including the role of governance and the importance of human capital.
1.5. Assess if a sectoral approach would be beneficial in your context.

Module 2 - Sustainable Investment

2.1. Describe the characteristics of a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) and the role of SEZs in
attracting FDI.
2.2. Explain how Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a part of the sustainable
development agenda and the role of FDI in sustainable development.
2.3. Recognize the principles, guidelines, and levels of the Investment Policy Framework for
Sustainable Development and the structure and components of an investment policy
framework
2.4. Create a list of Sustainability Characteristics of FDI according to four dimensions

Module 3 - Strategic Inward Investment Attraction

3.1. Explain the steps to take and the considerations at each step to develop an FDI promotion
strategy for a country or region.
3.2. Summarize the role that infrastructure, clusters, special economic zones, and industrial
parks play in attracting inward investment.
3.3. Describe types of incentives used by countries and regions in attracting inward investment.
3.4. Examine international best practice, innovative promotional strategies, and examples of
regional promotional efforts.

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3.5. Identify sectors which are particularly strong in your country or region and evaluate if certain
sectors or subsectors have been prioritized by the government or regional authority for
development.

Module 4 - IPA Service Catalog

4.1. Compare types of investors, what they are looking for, and how to provide them with the
information and services they need to choose your location.
4.2. Describe services that are key to facilitating an investment and how to develop and deliver
them.
4.3. Explain the value of relationships with established investors and how to improve business
climate through advocacy
4.4. Analyze a project to decide how it should be prioritized, what resources would be needed,
and what services should be ready for after care?

Learning Activities
The course learning activities help deepen your thinking and apply course concepts to your
context. Each module has two required learning activities, and some modules contain optional
activities. Some learning activities involve a discussion with a supervisor/colleague. The
discussion with your supervisor/colleague should take about fifteen (15) minutes and will require
planning on your part to facilitate scheduling. All the required learning activities must be
completed and uploaded to the classroom to successfully complete the course.

Assessment
Quizzes are the main mode of assessment in this course. Each module contains one quiz that
allows you to demonstrate your knowledge on the various concepts from that module. Quizzes
contain ten (10) to fifteen (15) multiple choice and true/false questions. You may attempt each
quiz three times. There is no time limit during any attempt. You may save any incomplete
attempt and finish it at a later time. You may refer to your notes if you wish.

Quizzes are automatically scored. A score of 80% is passing. Your highest score is used to
calculate your overall course average, which considers an average of all four quizzes. Each quiz
is weighted the same when determining your overall course average.

Course Policies
To successfully complete the course and earn the digital badge, you must achieve an overall
average of 80% on the quizzes and complete and upload the required learning activities. If you
do not achieve and 80% in the course on this attempt, you may register to retake the course.

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Digital Badge
When you pass the course, you will receive a digital badge that you can display on social
networks. At the end of the course, you will receive precise instructions via email on how to
access the digital badge. The instructions will be sent to the email address associated with the
course registration.

Technical and Expert Assistance

For technical assistance or questions regarding the navigation of the course, click on INDES
HELP located in the virtual classroom. There you will access a form where you can provide a
description of your problem, and a Technical Assistant will respond within 24 hours.

For content related questions, use the Ask the Experts tool located in the virtual classroom. This
tool allows you to submit questions directly to a member of the IDB’s Investment and Trade
Sector. You can expect these questions to be answered within about 24 hours during weekdays
and 48 hours during weekends.

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Course Schedule and Checklist
The following checklist can guide you in completing all the activities within the allotted timeframe
for the course. Personal organization and planning are necessary to progressively complete the
activities and assessments and avoid last minute work.

Towards the Next Generation of IPAs (Part 1)

Welcome Module
At the start of the course:

☐Activity A: Watch the course introduction video

☐Activity B: Review the Learning Guide
☐Activity C: Tour the learning environment
☐Activity D: Review the netiquette norms
☐Activity E: Update your personal profile
☐Activity F: Configure forum notifications
☐ Activity G: Introduce yourself to peers – optional

Module 1: FDI and the IPA

At the beginning of the module:

☐Engage with the resources (text and video) (2.5 hours)

☐Complete Activity 1: Written response (40 mins)

In the middle of the module:

☐Activity 1: Discussion with colleague (15 minutes)

☐Respond in Forum #1 (35 minutes)

At the end of the module:

☐Complete Quiz #1 (30 minutes)

☐Activity 1b – optional (45 minutes)

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 Module 2: Sustainable Investment

At the beginning of the module:

☐Engage with the resources (text and videos) (2.5 hours)

☐Complete Activity 2: Written response (40 minutes)

In the middle of the module:

☐Activity 2: Discussion with colleague (15 minutes)

☐Respond in Forum #2 (35 minutes)

At the end of the module:

☐Complete Quiz #2 (30 minutes)

Congratulations, you reached the midway point in the course!

If you have been in the course longer than three (3) weeks but have not yet started Module 3,
we recommend working at a quicker pace to ensure you will complete the course in the
allocated timeframe of six (6) weeks.

Module 3: Strategic Inward Investment Attraction

At the beginning of the module:

☐Engage with resources (2.5 hours)

☐Activity 3: Written response (1 hour)

In the middle of the module:

☐Activity 3: Discussion with colleague (15 minutes)

☐Respond in Forum #3 (35 minutes)

At the end of the module:

☐Complete Quiz #3 (30 minutes)

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 Module 4: Module 4 - IPA Service Catalog

At the beginning of the module:

☐Engage with resources (2.5 hours)

☐Activity 4: Written response (50 minutes)

In the middle of the module:

☐Activity 4: Discussion with colleague (15 minutes)

☐Respond in Forum #4 (35 minutes)

At the end of the module:

☐Complete Quiz #4 (30 minutes)

☐Activity 4b – optional (40 minutes)

Closing Module

At the end of the course:

☐Activity H: Watch course closing video (5 minutes)

☐Activity I: Respond in Forum #5 (30 minutes)
☐Activity J: Complete the course survey (30 minutes)
☐Activity K: Access information about the digital badge (10 minutes)

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