Abstract
The pace of integration among countries in certain regions has been notable; it has occurred mainly because of the impacts of globalization. By integrating, countries consider themselves better able to counter the effects of globalization. A major rationale for integration into blocs has been to increase trade inflows into the member countries through provision of a customs union that provides a common external tariff (CET). In addition, a single market can be created that provides four principal freedoms; free movement of goods, services, people and labour. As an offshoot of this integration process, investment inflows are typically expected to increase in the region and thus the member countries have improved opportunities to respond to this global phenomenon.Attracting foreign direct investment (FDI) into a country is considered as one of the ways of building a country’s GDP and increasing economic growth. However, there is an amount of risk that comes with foreign investments in a third, especially developing country. To alleviate this risk, host countries sign Bilateral Investment Treaties (BITs) that provide the protection needed and a promise of a stable and predictable legal climate. Regional integration organisations have also created investment frameworks that encourage investment into their member States as well as uphold the economic objectives of the bloc. This study will examine and compare the investment frameworks of two regional blocs - the European Union (EU) and the East African Community (EAC) – which we hope will allow the identification of key features of a successful investment promotion regime relevant to the EAC and its member states.
| Date of Award | 2021 |
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| Original language | English |
| Awarding Institution |
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| Supervisor | Sergei Vinogradov (Supervisor) & Peter Cameron (Supervisor) |