Diaspora is a resource for investment in the countries of origin. The United Nations and the United States State joined for an initiative to help tap the resources of emigrant communities for investment in agriculture in their countries of origin. The Diaspora Investment in Agriculture initiative (DIA), unveiled today in Washington by the US and the UN International Fund for Agriculture Development (IFAD), will work with emigrants wishing to invest in agricultural projects in their home communities, with a focus on post-conflict countries and fragile States. Diaspora Communities Save over $400 billion Kanayo F. Nwanze, the President of IFAD offered at a forum hosted by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton: (From IFAD Press Report) “Diaspora communities from developing nations save a total of $400 billion every year. Many would like to support their home countries through investment. Money is not the problem. Good opportunities and clear mechanisms for making those investments are what is required, DIA will help identify opportunities and models for sustainable investment, It will build the capacity of individual investors, diaspora organizations and those implementing projects on the ground. And it will encourage lasting partnerships that achieve financial returns for investors, while fostering stability and opportunity,” With the support of the State Department and other international partners, IFAD will work to involve migrant entrepreneurs, diaspora organizations and key strategic entities to implement projects that stimulate the development of the agricultural sector. In particular, the initiative will seek to identify and co-finance viable ideas and models linking food security, diaspora investment and agricultural value chains. Diaspora – 215 million People Globally - $325 billion Remitances With more than 215 million people – or three per cent of the world’s population – now living outside their home countries, diaspora communities already play a vital economic role in many nations. Currently they remit more than $325 billion a year, (for Bosnia & Herzegovina the estimate is around $4-6 billion annually), to developing countries and, in many cases, have become among the largest sources of cash and investment for home countries, surpassing the total official development assistance (ODA) and foreign direct investment (FDI). “Over the next five years, diasporas throughout the world will send home more than 1.5 trillion dollars,” said Mr. Nwanze. “If together we can encourage the diaspora to invest a fraction of this money in rural agriculture, it will contribute significantly to creating jobs, enhancing food security and fostering stability in countries emerging from strife,” Related Reports: ---“International Financial Crisis Channel” - diplomaticallyincorrect.org/c/international-financial-crisis By Ambassador Muhamed Sacirbey Face Book at “Diplomatically Incorrect” Twitter - DiplomaticallyX