Investment Policy Monitor
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The Investment Policy Monitor provides the international investment community with up-to-date, country-specific information on recent policy developments affecting foreign direct investment (FDI).
Through its ongoing monitoring of investment policy changes, UNCTAD delivers cutting-edge and forward-looking contributions to investment policy discourse. The Monitor also supports evidence-based policymaking aimed at ensuring that foreign investment contributes to sustainable development. The Monitor also informs the analysis of global and regional investment policy trends featured in the World Investment Report, the Investment Policy Monitor publications and the joint UNCTAD-OECD Reports on G20 Investment Measures.
UNCTAD has tracked changes in national policies affecting FDI on an annual basis since 1992. Over time, the methodology has been revised to enhance the quality and consistency of reporting. The most recent revision, completed in 2024, further refined the monitoring framework and applied the updated classification to policy measures dating back to 2012.
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UNCTAD Investment Policy Monitor The UNCTAD Investment Policy Monitor database compiles official measures affecting FDI adopted by United Nations Member States. These encompass measures explicitly targeting foreign investment (FDI-specific), as well as general investment measures that have a clear impact on such investment (FDI-related).
The measures are either reported directly to UNCTAD by Member States through annual surveys or identified by UNCTAD researchers through publicly accessible sources (such as government websites and specialized policy databases).
The classification of measures as more or less favourable to investors is based solely on their potential impact on investors. The type of measures included in each category are described below. This classification does not reflect any value judgement by UNCTAD on the merit or suitability of the measure.
Classification of the nature of measures
More favourable to investors
Liberalization: includes privatization; lifting of entry restrictions (e.g. opening of sectors to FDI) and entry conditions (e.g. minimum capital requirement); removal (total or partial) of FDI screening or approval mechanisms; lifting of foreign exchange restrictions; liberalization of land access.
Facilitation: includes streamlining of investment procedures (e.g. one-stop shops); greater transparency of investment-related laws and procedures (e.g. information portals); introduction by IPAs and other entities of new services to assist investors (e.g. linkages programmes, investor visa facilitation or alternative dispute resolution mechanisms).
Promotion: includes establishment of IPAs or other institutions with a remit as investment promoters and expansion of their mandate; adoption of investment promotion strategy and plans; introduction of PPPs, auctions, and concessions initiatives or framework; introduction of OFDI promotion initiatives.
Incentives: includes adoption of new tax and financial incentives schemes for investment; introduction of other incentives (e.g. citizenship by investment programmes); adoption of new SEZ-related incentives.
Other regulatory changes: includes enhancement of investor treatment and protection guarantees; easing of labour or migration regulations concerning foreign hires and key personnel; removal of operational restrictions on investment (e.g. local content requirements).
Less favourable to investors
Entry: includes introduction or tightening of entry restrictions (e.g. total or partial ban on FDI in specific sectors); introduction or tightening of entry conditions (e.g. minimum investment threshold, joint venture requirements or State participation in strategic sectors); introduction or expansion of screening mechanisms for national security.
Treatment and operation: includes introduction or expansion of foreign exchange restrictions; introduction or expansion of restrictions on foreign hires and key personnel; removal or reduction of investment incentives; introduction or expansion of post-establishment requirements for local content; reduction of guarantees for investment treatment and protection; introduction or expansion of restrictions on OFDI.
Note: Measures are verified, to the fullest extent possible, by referencing government sources. The compilation of measures is not exhaustive.
Disclaimer: the boundaries and names shown and the designations used on this map do not imply official endorsement or acceptance by the United Nations.
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Investment Policy Measures
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Korea, Republic of
28 Feb 2025Extends the tax holiday period for capital goods imported for foreign investment
On 28 February 2025, the Republic of Korea amended the Enforcement Decree of the Act on Restriction on Special Cases Concerning Taxation (No. 35347), extending the exemption period for tariffs, special consumption tax and value-added [...]
Korea, Republic of
27 Aug 2024Strengthens the security review of foreign investments
On 27 August, the Republic of Korea announced the entry into force of an amended enforcement decree to the "Foreign Investment Promotion Act". The amendments expanded the scope of the FDI screening regime by adding "National High-Tech [...]
Korea, Republic of
05 Mar 2024Allocated $151 million for cash support to attract FDI
On 5 March 2024, the Government of the Republic of Korea allocated a budget of approximately $151 million for cash support to expand the attraction of investments in key companies within advanced industries. This amount is four times [...]
Korea, Republic of
01 Jan 2024Adopted new disclosure requirements for foreign companies listed on KOSPI
On 1 January 2024, new requirements for publishing certain business information in English (such as dividends, capital increases or decreases, and “matters concerning important decision-making”) entered into force for companies listed [...]
Korea, Republic of
18 Jul 2022Offers up to 50% cash reimbursement to FDI in strategic industries
On 18 July 2022, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy amended the Foreign Investment Committee (FIC) - approved cash grant program, so as to offer up to 50% cash reimbursement for foreign investment in activities deemed strategically [...]
Korea, Republic of
07 Mar 2022Adopted a series of sanctions against the Russian Federation
On 7 March 2022, the Government of the Republic of Korea adopted a series of sanctions against the Russian Federation, including export controls and the removal of several Russian banks from the SWIFT global payment system. In a related [...]
Korea, Republic of
05 Aug 2020Recognizing reinvestment of earned surplus as foreign direct investment
On 5 August 2020, the revised Foreign Investment Promotion Act came into force. Key points include, among others, that foreign reinvested earned surplus is recognized as foreign direct investment and that about 2,990 technologies [...]
Korea, Republic of
05 Aug 2020Amending the Enforcement Decree of the Foreign Investment Promotion Act
On 5 August 2020, amendments to the Enforcement Decree of the Foreign Investment Promotion Act entered into force. One of the changes has made it possible for the competent Minister or the heads of the relevant agencies to request [...]
Korea, Republic of
21 Feb 2020Revising Act on Prevention of Divulgence and Protection of Industrial Technology
On 21 February 2020, the revised Act on Prevention of Divulgence and Protection of Industrial Technology came into force. This revision tightens the procedure for foreign M&A on national core technology. The key points include [...]
Korea, Republic of
01 Jan 2019Abolishing certain tax incentives for foreign investment
Certain tax incentives, which were available for foreign investments have been abolished, effective from 1 January 2019. Previously, foreign investments enjoyed up to seven years tax reduction on their income tax or corporate tax on [...]
Korea, Republic of
31 Jan 2017Revised tax enforcement decrees focusing on fostering new growth industries
The State Council revised 19 tax enforcement decrees. Among others, the following are introduced to foster new growth industries: (1) The Government increased the research and development (R&D) tax credit rate on new growth industries [...]
Korea, Republic of
13 Nov 2016Korean Government sells its 29.7% stake in Woori Bank
On 13 November 2016, the Financial Services Commission has chosen seven successful bidders, including Chinese-owned Tong Yang Life Insurance Co., to buy a combined 29.7 per cent stake (about KRW 2.4 trillion) in the state-owned Woori [...]
Korea, Republic of
13 Aug 2016Korea enacted the "Special Act on Revitalizing Companies"
On 13 August 2016, the newly established “Special Act on Revitalizing Companies” (so called “One-shot Act”) took effect, aimed at facilitating voluntary corporate restructuring and M&As. The new law facilitates business reform [...]
Korea, Republic of
22 Mar 2016Korea opened the "Startup Campus" as its largest startup incubation center in the country
On 22 March 2016, the Korean government opened its largest startup complex in Pangyo, a city located just south of Seoul, to boost promising local startups and attract foreign companies. This complex will provide support to people [...]
Korea, Republic of
27 Jan 2016Korea amends the Foreign Investment Promotion Act to simplify FDI registration procedures
On 27 January 2016, Korea amended the "Foreign Investment Promotion Act". The changes simplify FDI registration procedures, including through (1) abolishing foreign investors' prior reporting to the government of any designated modification [...]
Korea, Republic of
24 Jul 2015Korea eases investment regulations on Saemangeum
On 24 July 2015, the national assembly passed a law which reduced regulations to encourage foreign investment into a development project on Saemangeum, an area of reclaimed tidal land located on the southwest coast of Korea. For example, [...]
Korea, Republic of
01 Jul 2015Government allows foreign companies to hire more non-Korean employees
For small-sized foreign companies, the Korean government has allowed to hire non-Korean employees exceeding 20% of the company's workforce during their first two years of operations in the country. Hitherto, the cap stood at 20%. [...]
Korea, Republic of
25 Aug 2014Korea Eases Requirements for FIZ Rental Rates
The government of Korea halved the minimum 'Foreign investment amount' and 'Factory construction area ratio' applied to foreign investors in 'Complex-type foreign investment areas'. Prior to the revision, companies could benefit from [...]
Korea, Republic of
10 Jan 2014Amendment to Foreign Investment Promotion Act
The government of Korea amended the Foreign Investment Promotion Act. Under the current Act on Monopoly Regulation and Fair Trade, a subsidiary of a holding company could not - up to now - make a joint investment with a foreigner. [...]
Korea, Republic of
02 Jul 2013Passes amended Telecommunications Business Act
On 13 August 2013, an amendment to the Telecommunications Business Act came into effect. The change allows foreign investors from countries with which Korea has an FTA – in particular EU member states and the United States – to indirectly [...]
Korea, Republic of
27 Jun 2013Passes the Act on Supporting the Return of Overseas Korean Enterprises
The Act on Supporting the Return of Overseas Korean Enterprises was passed by the National Assembly. The Korean Government founded the Reshoring Support Center and is planning to provide reshoring businesses with incentives that are [...]
Korea, Republic of
17 Apr 2013Introduces small-scale foreign investment zones
The Republic of Korea has introduced small-scale free economic zones (FEZs) that will provide significant incentives to foreign investors. These "mini" FEZs can be established in any area developed by foreign investors or foreign-invested [...]
Korea, Republic of
26 Jan 2012Korea amended the Act on Prevention of Divulgence and Protection of Industrial Technology
On 26 January 2012, an amendment to the Act on Prevention of Divulgence and Protection of Industrial Technology came into effect. The amendment, introduced by law passed on 25 July 2011, introduces the obligation for certain Korean [...]
Korea, Republic of
05 Oct 2010Expands FDI zones to the services sector
The Korean Government expanded the foreign direct investment zones to the services sector, such as knowledge services, tourism, logistics, finance and education. It also offers more incentives to such businesses. The designation of [...]
Korea, Republic of
01 Sep 2010More incentives to foreign investors in special economic zones
The Ministry of Knowledge Economy announced that at least 10 percent of the land in each free economic zone will be allocated to foreign companies, with rental fees to be reduced by 75 percent to even 100 percent, depending on the [...]
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The Investment Policy Monitor provides the international investment community with up-to-date, country-specific information on recent policy developments affecting foreign direct investment (FDI).
Through its ongoing monitoring of investment policy changes, UNCTAD delivers cutting-edge and forward-looking contributions to investment policy discourse. The Monitor also supports evidence-based policymaking aimed at ensuring that foreign investment contributes to sustainable development. The Monitor also informs the analysis of global and regional investment policy trends featured in the World Investment Report, the Investment Policy Monitor publications and the joint UNCTAD-OECD Reports on G20 Investment Measures.
UNCTAD has tracked changes in national policies affecting FDI on an annual basis since 1992. Over time, the methodology has been revised to enhance the quality and consistency of reporting. The most recent revision, completed in 2024, further refined the monitoring framework and applied the updated classification to policy measures dating back to 2012.
-
UNCTAD Investment Policy Monitor The UNCTAD Investment Policy Monitor database compiles official measures affecting FDI adopted by United Nations Member States. These encompass measures explicitly targeting foreign investment (FDI-specific), as well as general investment measures that have a clear impact on such investment (FDI-related).
The measures are either reported directly to UNCTAD by Member States through annual surveys or identified by UNCTAD researchers through publicly accessible sources (such as government websites and specialized policy databases).
The classification of measures as more or less favourable to investors is based solely on their potential impact on investors. The type of measures included in each category are described below. This classification does not reflect any value judgement by UNCTAD on the merit or suitability of the measure.
Classification of the nature of measures
More favourable to investors
Liberalization: includes privatization; lifting of entry restrictions (e.g. opening of sectors to FDI) and entry conditions (e.g. minimum capital requirement); removal (total or partial) of FDI screening or approval mechanisms; lifting of foreign exchange restrictions; liberalization of land access.
Facilitation: includes streamlining of investment procedures (e.g. one-stop shops); greater transparency of investment-related laws and procedures (e.g. information portals); introduction by IPAs and other entities of new services to assist investors (e.g. linkages programmes, investor visa facilitation or alternative dispute resolution mechanisms).
Promotion: includes establishment of IPAs or other institutions with a remit as investment promoters and expansion of their mandate; adoption of investment promotion strategy and plans; introduction of PPPs, auctions, and concessions initiatives or framework; introduction of OFDI promotion initiatives.
Incentives: includes adoption of new tax and financial incentives schemes for investment; introduction of other incentives (e.g. citizenship by investment programmes); adoption of new SEZ-related incentives.
Other regulatory changes: includes enhancement of investor treatment and protection guarantees; easing of labour or migration regulations concerning foreign hires and key personnel; removal of operational restrictions on investment (e.g. local content requirements).
Less favourable to investors
Entry: includes introduction or tightening of entry restrictions (e.g. total or partial ban on FDI in specific sectors); introduction or tightening of entry conditions (e.g. minimum investment threshold, joint venture requirements or State participation in strategic sectors); introduction or expansion of screening mechanisms for national security.
Treatment and operation: includes introduction or expansion of foreign exchange restrictions; introduction or expansion of restrictions on foreign hires and key personnel; removal or reduction of investment incentives; introduction or expansion of post-establishment requirements for local content; reduction of guarantees for investment treatment and protection; introduction or expansion of restrictions on OFDI.
Note: Measures are verified, to the fullest extent possible, by referencing government sources. The compilation of measures is not exhaustive.
Disclaimer: the boundaries and names shown and the designations used on this map do not imply official endorsement or acceptance by the United Nations.
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