rapidly and widely dispersed through an increasingly interdependent transnational network. 41. While the control of potentially negative impacts is a concern. the facilitation of positive benefits is equally important. A supportive international framework is necessary for the continued liberalization of national foreign direct investment regimes, growth of global stock markets and securities exchanges, linked data processing services and media transmission facilities. Similarly, the protection of intellectual property rights, stability of component supply networks, and establishment of efficient and effective global marketing and franchising systems require compatible governmental approaches to regulatory goals and enforcement. These developments need co-ordinated definitions and regulatory processes that facilitate rather than impede business transactions. 2. Outstanding issues 42. In order for the code to fulfil all these important functions, the present impasse in the code negotiations will have to be broken. This might be possible by an application of political will that minimizes the debate over ·formulations of principles rooted in past controversies, focusing instead on the code's co-operative objectives, in the light of new geo-political developments and economic realities . 43. Among the concerns that stimulated the United Nations to undertake the code exercise in the early to mid 1970s were fears about potential transnational corporation interference in domestic political affairs, especially where corporations could draw on their home Government's political suppot·t, or indeed perhaps operated at that Government's behest as an arm of its foreign policy. Although developed countries are host to the vast majorjty of for.eign direct investment, they generally feel less vulnerable to this type of outside pressure, so the issue was framed primarily in a North/So uth context. I ••• E/C.10/1990/5 English Page 15 44. In an applied sense, diffusing the political antagonisms surrounding transnational corporation issues has important implications for most of the 
**Analysis**
The text appears to be discussing the facilitation of economic activities and the development of international frameworks to promote trade, investment, and economic growth. It highlights the importance of cooperative objectives, regulatory processes, and intellectual property rights in this context. The text also touches on concerns about the potential impact of transnational corporations on domestic political affairs, which suggests that the category should encompass a broader range of economic and international relations issues.

**Category**
International trade, Industry