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Dear Members of the World Investment Network, It is my pleasure to inform you that UNCTAD has just launched a publication entitled "How to utilize FDI to improve transport infrastructure - ports: Lessons from Nigeria”, the eigth instalment of UNCTAD´s Investment Advisory Series B. The study focuses on the experience that Nigeria has had in the development of its port infrastructure and management and on identifying lessons from Nigeria in introducing foreign investment into ports and its broad-based reforms in the sector over the past decade. The potential benefits of FDI when compared to domestic investment include better access to capital, more sophisticated knowledge and expertise, more advanced technology, and larger economies of scale. The opening of port opportunities to foreign investors helps host countries select the most cost-effective terminal investor with the highest capacity to shoulder long-term financial risks. Challenges of FDI in ports should not be underestimated and include, among others, establishing the necessary legal and institutional framework, restructuring port entities, managing the bidding process, negotiating with ITOs, and providing fair and effective regulation throughout the life of the project. Although these lessons cannot be generalized to all situations, as there is no "one-size-fits-all" model, they serve as useful guidelines and present policy options that should be adjusted according to specific contexts and constraints. We hope you find the paper interesting and look forward to hearing your views. Please don’t hesitate to contact us on this or any of the other publications from our Investment Advisory series listed below. Best regards, James X. Zhan Director Investment & Enterprise Division United Nations Conference on Trade & Development Palais des Nations, Geneva Tel: +41 22 9175797 www.unctad.org/diae UNCTAD Investment Advisory Series Series A: 1. Investment Promotion Handbook for Diplomats, Investment Advisory Series - Series A, number 6; 2. Promoting foreign Investment in Tourism, Investment Advisory Series, Series A, number 5; 3. Promoting Investment and Trade: Practices and Issues, Investment Advisory Series, Series A, number 4; 4. Evaluating Investment Promotion Agencies, Investment Advisory Series, Series A, number 3; 5. Investment Promotion Agencies as Policy Advocates, Investment Advisory Series Series A, number 2; and 6. Aftercare A Core Function In Investment Promotion, Investment Advisory Series, Series A, number 1 Series B: 1. Best Practices in Investment for Development: How to Attract and Benefit from FDI in Mining - Lessons from Canada and Chile; 2. Best Practices in Investment for Development: How to Integrate FDI and Skill Development - Lessons from Canada and Singapore; 3. Best Practices in Investment for Development: How to Create and Benefit from FDI-SME Linkages - Lessons from Malaysia and Singapore; 4. Best Practices in Investment for Development: How to Create and Benefit from FDI-SME Linkages - Lessons from Malaysia and Singapore; 5. Best Practices in Investment for Development: How Post-Conflict Countries can Attract and Benefit from FDI - Lessons from Croatia and Mozambique; 6. Best Practices in Investment for Development: How to Utilize FDI to Improve Transport Infrastructure – Roads, Lessons from Australia and Peru; and 7. Best Practices in Investment for Development: How to Utilize FDI to Improve Infrastructure – Electricity, Lessons from Chile and New Zealand WIR