Investment Affairs

Investment

The Office of Investment Affairs (OIA) promotes sound investment policies in support of U.S. jobs, economic growth, and prosperity. We protect U.S. national security in the context of foreign investment in the United States, while sustaining the open investment policy of the United States. We promote responsible business conduct and, to this end, house the U.S. National Contact Point for the OECD Guidelines.

Monitoring Investment Climates

Our Investment Climate Statements provide U.S. firms with country and economy-specific information on investment laws, measures, and other factors that may be useful in making business decisions. The statements are prepared by economic officers stationed in embassies and other posts around the world.

Liaison to the Development Finance Corporation

OIA works closely with the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) , to negotiate and enter into agreements that allow DFC to operate in countries around the world consistent with U.S. foreign policy aims. DFC is America’s development bank and partners with the private sector by providing debt financing, equity investments, political risk insurance, and other forms of financial and technical support to projects overseas.

Foreign Investment in the United States and U.S. National Security

OIA represents the Department of State on the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS). CFIUS is an inter-agency committee led by the U.S. Department of Treasury that reviews mergers and acquisitions of U.S. businesses by foreigners to determine whether such transactions could affect U.S. national security. More information about CFIUS is available from the U.S. Department of Treasury .

Investment Agreements and Disputes

Our office co-leads the negotiation of bilateral investment treaties (BITs) along with the U.S. Trade Representative to facilitate better investment opportunities worldwide. OIA also provides guidance and appropriate assistance to U.S. companies involved in investment disputes with foreign governments.

Regional and Multilateral Coordination

OIA leads U.S. government engagement in several regional and multilateral fora to advance U.S. views on investment rules and good governance to create an enabling environment for investment. We lead the U.S. delegation to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) Investment Committee and the OECD Working Party on Responsible Business Conduct, co-lead with the U.S. Trade Representative the delegation to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Investment Experts Group, and lead on investment work in the UN system.

More information is available from the OECD Investment Committee .

More information is available from the APEC Investment Experts Group .

Tax Agreements

OIA also works with the Department of Treasury to establish intergovernmental agreements to enhance tax compliance under the Foreign Accounts Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) , and to facilitate the negotiation of other U.S. tax treaties and other agreements .

Responsible Business Conduct

OIA promotes responsible business conduct through its work at the OECD and in housing the U.S. National Contact Point for the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises.