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Writing

This page presents a sample of my published work. 

 

My writing spans a breadth of different products, including economic reports and updates, evaluation designs, working papers, methodology and guidance notes, blogposts, and contributions to flagship reports. As a technical economist lead at IDG, I was responsible for reviewing reports for quality assurance and methodological soundness for more than 30 activities on economic growth for USAID. ​

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Citation: Forneris,Xavier; Andersen,Maria Reinholdt; Jusoh,Sufian Bin; Liu,Yan-000529044. Investment Reform Map for Lao PDR : A Foundation for a New Investment Policy and Promotion Strategy - Lao PDR Investment Climate Reform Project (English). Washington, D.C. : World Bank Group. http://documents.worldbank.org/curated/en/732601621326114842

01

Investment Reform Map for Lao PDR : A Foundation for a New Investment Policy and Promotion Strategy - Lao PDR Investment Climate Reform Project

Summary: A sound policy framework for investment is critical for foreign direct investment (FDI) to deliver a positive impact on the host economy. The investment reform map (IRM) is an analytical exercise and a client engagement product, aimed at developing a country’s investment policy.​​​

My Contribution: I wrote the assessment of Lao PDR’s FDI trends and performance (Chapter 1) and the evaluation of opportunities and constraints in Lao PDR's overall investment climate (Chapter 2).

 

Fieldwork: As part of this report, I joined two seperate missions to Vientiane. The first mission was to conduct research, collect in-country data and hold stakeholder interviews. The second mission was to present findings and lead a workshop with Laotian government officials. 

Summary: At the time of writing, Slavonia's economy was one of the weakest in the EU, experiencing slower growth than similar regions.

My Contribution: I coauthored Chapter 2 along with my investment policy and promotion colleagues. The chapter presents an evaluation of Slavonia's FDI performance, FDI location attractions, and a rapid Sector Scan Assessment. 

 

Field Work: I participated in two field missions to Croatia, both in Zagreb and Slavonia, to collect national data and to conduct private sector consultations (with companies, stakeholders, and investors) as part of the methodology of the rapid sector scan assessment.

Citation: Kilroy,Austin Francis Louis; Bakker,Martine Hendrica Elize; Castren,Tuukka; Kordik,Hans Christoph; Mann,Shaun; Mishkovski,Gjorgji; Podhraski,Ivana; Rossotto,Carlo Maria; Bozic,Miroslav; Lapres,Blair Edward; Felix,Erika Ruth; Dumic,Tonina; Nimac,Ivan Anton; Krajcovicova,Jana; Phillips,Joseph Francis; Rogatschnig,Zenia Ann; Andersen,Maria Reinholdt; Milchevski,Todor; Marusic,Andreja; Molfetas-Lygkiaris,Aris; August,Andrea; Mrkonja,Jasmina; Ramljak,Danica; Mestric,Hrvoje; Zuniga,Pluvia; Laco,Matija; Smolic,Sime; Pasalic,Tomislav; Christiaensen,Luc; Ferre,Celine; Ambasz,Diego; Matkovic,Teo; Rubil,Ivica; Sharafudheen,Tara; Morrica,Valerie; Johann,Malte; Japec,Lidija. Growth and Jobs in Slavonia, Baranja, and Srijem : Rapid Diagnostics (English). Washington, D.C. : World Bank Group. http://documents.worldbank.org/curated/en/116851593152107904

02

Growth and Jobs in Slavonia, Baranja, and Srijem : Rapid Diagnostics
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03

Enhancing Nepal’s Investment Competitiveness : An Institutional and Regulatory Analysis

Summary: This report examines Nepal's legal, regulatory, and institutional framework for FDI, evaluating its role in the economy and assessing the policies and institutions designed to attract and promote it. Using an investment lifecycle model, which illustrates the dynamic relationship between FDI and the host country, the note explores investment opportunities and limitations.

My Contribution: I wrote Section II which presents an overview of Nepal's FDI trends.

Shams,Heba; Narain,Ashish; Manghnani,Ruchita; Andersen,Maria Reinholdt; Perea; Kher,Priyanka; Sethuramasubbu,Ramprakash; Diao,Kunxiang; Gan, Zhe Ken. Enhancing Nepal’s Investment Competitiveness : An Institutional and Regulatory Analysis (English). Washington, D.C. : World Bank Group. http://documents.worldbank.org/curated/en/741821556736473562

04

Moldova: Rekindling Economic Dynamism (CEM) 

Summary: This Country Economic Memorandum offers a thorough analysis of factors limiting economic growth and suggests solutions. While building upon previous research, it primarily examines enterprise performance. Because enterprise performance is influenced by the broader institutional environment, the memorandum also addresses topics like the rule of law, business regulations, and education

My Contribution: I coauthored Chapter 2, which concentrates on high-productivity foreign firms operating in Moldova, examining investment promotion strategies and ways to maximize the economic impact of Foreign Direct Investment. Moreover, I designed the diagnostic tool that informed that underpins the analytical approach applied throughout this CEM. 

Citation: Moldova : Rekindling Economic Dynamism (English). Washington, DC : World Bank Group. http://documents.worldbank.org/curated/en/679951561566645653

05

Iran Economic Monitor : Weathering Economic Challenges

Summary: This reports assesses how Mauritius (which achieved high-income status in 2020) navigated growth following a series of crises including the COVID-19 pandemic, an oil spill, and inclusion on the EU's high-risk money laundering list.The report considers several structural facets of the Mauritian economy that need comprehensive attention in order to facilitate recovery. It leverages recent crises as an impetus for policymakers to address long-standing problems to economic growth and development. 

My Contribution: Along with my the lead author and an investment policy colleague, I provided analytical inputs and portions of the investment sections. Moreover, the CEM Country Scan Tool I designed informed the Task Team Leader and lead author in the initial concept stages of the report. 

Citation: Hayati,Fayavar; Kazemi Najaf Abadi,Majid; Andersen,Maria Reinholdt; Atamanov,Aziz; Wai-Poi,Matthew Grant; Mostafavi Dehzooei,Mohammadhadi; Salehi Isfahani,Djavad. Iran Economic Monitor : Weathering Economic Challenges (English). Washington, D.C. : World Bank Group. http://documents.worldbank.org/curated/en/676781543436287317

Mauritius - Through the Eye of a Perfect Storm: Coming Back Stronger from the COVID Crisis

06

Summary: This Country Economic Memorandum offers a thorough analysis of factors limiting economic growth and suggests solutions. While building upon previous research, it primarily examines enterprise performance. Because enterprise performance is influenced by the broader institutional environment, the memorandum also addresses topics like the rule of law, business regulations, and education

My Contribution: I coauthored Chapter 2, which concentrates on high-productivity foreign firms operating in Moldova, examining investment promotion strategies and ways to maximize the economic impact of Foreign Direct Investment. Moreover, I designed the diagnostic tool that informed that underpins the analytical approach applied throughout this CEM. 

Field Work: I participated in one field mission to Port Louis, in order to conduct stakeholder consultations and private sector interviews to understand the opportunities and constraints to investment attraction and retention in Mauritius.  

“World Bank. 2021. Mauritius - Through the Eye of a Perfect Storm: Coming Back Stronger from the COVID Crisis. © World Bank, Washington, DC. http://hdl.handle.net/10986/35627 License: CC BY 3.0 IGO.”

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Citation: von Uexkull, Erik, Maria R. Andersen and Benjamin Kett. 2017. “Corporate Tax Incentives and FDI in Developing Countries”. Global Investment Competitiveness Report 2017/2018. World Bank Group.

Corporate Tax Incentives and FDI in Developing Countries

07

Summary: This working paper offers practical, data-driven advice for developing countries seeking to attract more foreign direct investment. Using a novel World Bank database, it analyzes how tax incentives are used across different sectors and companies, and evaluates their effectiveness in motivating investors. 

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The paper was included as Chapter 3 in the inaugural issue of the World Bank Group "Global Investment Competitiveness Report" which presents novel analytical insights and empirical research on foreign direct investment. 

My Contribution: Under guidance of the lead author, I developed "The Developing Country Tax Incentives Database", the World Bank Group's first cross-country panel database on fiscal incentives by sector. I managed a team of three junior researchers who collated the qualitative information for the database. I analyzed the findings from the database and reported these results throughout the chapter. 

Toward Solutions for Youth Employment: A 2015 Baseline Report

08

Summary: Solutions for Youth Employment (S4YE), a global partnership formed in 2014, aims to drastically increase youth employment by 2030. Through research and collaboration with various sectors, S4YE seeks to develop scalable, innovative solutions to address youth unemployment, as explored in this baseline report. The S4YE report reflects a collaborative coalition including the following leading global organizations: the World Bank, Plan International, the International Youth Foundation (IYF), Youth Business International (YBI), RAND, Accenture, and the International Labour Organization (ILO)

My Contribution: Whilst supporting the lead author, I drafted multiple sections throughout the report and provided overall research support. 

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Citation: Toward solutions for youth employment : a 2015 baseline report (Vol. 2 of 2). Washington, D.C. : World Bank Group. http://documents.worldbank.org/curated/en/586681467994720053

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