Tuvalu – Gender-Sensitive Investment Climate Reform

The Tuvalu intervention focused on conducting a gender-sensitive diagnostic of the country’s investment climate to inform strategies for attracting foreign and domestic investment. This was critical to stimulating private sector growth and ensuring that the two-thirds of businesses owned by women benefit from inclusive economic reforms in a context where private sector development has remained stagnant.

• Conducted a gender-sensitive diagnostic of Tuvalu’s investment climate, resulting in the Business Environment Reform Diagnostic (BERD) Report.
• Used BERD findings to inform a gender-inclusive National Investment Strategy and guide institutional reforms.

• Business registration processes were streamlined, especially for sole traders commonly used by women, reducing barriers to entry.
• BERD recommendations were integrated into Tuvalu’s National Investment Policy and the Department of Business’s Annual Work Plan, ensuring funded gender-sensitive reforms.
• Institutional coordination was strengthened among the Department of Business, Gender Affairs, and the Development Bank of Tuvalu to support women-led enterprises.
• A new grant facility, backed by Taiwan, was launched to improve access to finance for women entrepreneurs.
• A national conference showcased women entrepreneurs, placing them at the centre of policy dialogue and peer learning.
• Progressive tax reform was introduced, exempting small, often women-led businesses from taxation.