Columbia International Affairs Online: Policy Briefs

CIAO DATE: 07/2009

Post-Conflict Countries and Foreign Investment

Nicholas Turner, Obijiofor Aginam, Vesselin Popovski

November 2008

United Nations University

Abstract

Economic development is essential for every country but it is especially crucial for those countries in the aftermath of protracted armed confl ict, needing peacebuilding, recovery and reconstruction. Development aid alone cannot transform damaged economies, and it is here that foreign direct investment (FDI) can be a valuable tool to revitalize industries, rebuild infrastructures and eventually even eliminate the need for aid.