The Center for International Strategies of Governments and Organizations (CIG) of the Universidad Austral presents its new publication “Bases for strengthening provincial capacities in investment promotionThe document offers a comprehensive and practical guide for provincial governments, organized into five chapters that progressively address the main challenges of the investment promotion at the subnational level.
Throughout the publication, key concepts are presented regarding foreign direct investment and its relationship to territorial development, the institutional framework, organizational models and criteria for designing investment promotion agencies , and the tools for building territorial strategies based on rigorous diagnoses, sector prioritization, and long-term sustainability. The operational functions necessary for a modern institutional framework are also detailed, from lead generation and active promotion to facilitation, aftercare, and the professionalization of the provincial team. With an action-oriented approach , this guide provides provinces with a conceptual and operational roadmap to strengthen their capacities, improve their positioning, and transform investment attraction into a genuine territorial public policy.
In Argentina, as in other countries with federal systems, provinces and cities with a global profile play a central role in international economic integration . In a geopolitical context marked by challenges such as energy and food security, the green transition, and the growth of creative industries, subnational governments are strengthening their international action strategies to promote the development of their territories and improve the quality of life of their inhabitants.
This process combines competition and cooperation . The provinces compete to attract investment, talent, and visitors, as well as to position themselves on global development agendas. At the same time, they cooperate to exchange best practices, lead discussions, and formulate joint responses to shared challenges.
The CIG was created in 2023 within the School of Politics, Government and International Relations of the Universidad Australwith the aim of improving knowledge about global trends and international strategies of provinces and cities. Their work is organized around three complementary axes: training, research and technical assistancealways focused on connecting decision-makers with academia, the private sector, and international financing and cooperation institutions.
This new publication joins a series of studies promoted by the CIG to strengthen provincial and local capacities for international engagement. All publications are available on the CIG website: https://www.austral.edu.ar/cig/
CIG Publications Catalogue
International Capabilities Index: Measures the relationship between internationalization and subnational development. It is a practical global benchmarking tool that allows city and provincial governments to identify opportunities to maximize the benefits of internationalization and promote greater professionalization of international action.
International Action Guide for Local Governments: A practical tool to enhance the international action of cities and provinces, addressing city and regional government diplomacy, internationalization as a public policy, and strategic planning.
A Review of the Federal Council for Foreign Relations and International Trade: Analyzes the creation and operation of the Council during its first four years, and identifies opportunities to strengthen this key tool at the subnational level.
The International Action of Subnational Governments for Territorial Development: The Case of the Province of Jujuy between 2015 and 2023: A case study that reviews the process of internationalization and positioning of Jujuy, and evaluates its impact on territorial development.
Diagnosis for the international insertion of the City of Corrientes: Presents the key attributes of the city for its global positioning, identifies actors and strategic opportunities, and outlines a roadmap for effective international insertion.
With these publications, the CIG reaffirms its commitment to the development of applied knowledge and practical tools that contribute to the strengthening of the presence of Argentine provinces and cities on the international stage and enable them to transform internationalization into an engine of territorial development.
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