PhD student: Mrs A. Bazrafkan

Promotors: Prof P.L.H. van den Bossche, Mrs Dr D. Prévost

Duration: 1/6/2017 - 31/5/2021

Abstract:

One of the problems of the current international investment law regime is that developing countries that are unattractive destinations for foreign investment are unattractive partners for investment treaties and fall behind in the international investment area. More attractive developing countries sign investment treaties which are standardized after US and EU model agreements whose benefits for developing countries remain disputed. Investor-State arbitration awards are also criticized as overprotecting investors and under-protecting domestic policies of developing countries. This research studies to what extent the current investment regime can generate socio-economic development benefits by promoting governance reform in developing countries.