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
12 results
Kuwait
10 Feb 2025Eases property ownership rules for foreigners
On February 10, 2025, Kuwait issued Decree Law No. 7/2025 amending the provisions of Decree Law No. 74/1979, which regulates the ownership of real estate properties by non-Kuwaitis. Historically, property ownership in Kuwait was restricted [...]
Kuwait
16 Jul 2023Allows foreign companies to operate without a local agent
On July 16, 2023, the Financial and Economic Affairs Committee passed a decision allowing foreign companies to establish branches within Kuwait and conduct operations directly, eliminating the prior requirement of a local agent. This [...]
Kuwait
06 Sep 2020Amending the Mechanism for Granting Tax Exemption by Kuwait Direct Investment Promotion Authority
On 6 September 2020, the Decision No. 180 of 2020 Regarding the Amendment of the Mechanism for Granting Tax Exemption by the Kuwait Direct Investment Promotion Authority by Decision No 16 of 2016, as amended by Decision No. 76 of 2018, [...]
Kuwait
06 May 2020Temporary reduction of fees for services provided by KDIPA
On 6 May 2020, the Ministerial Decision No. (105) of 2020 was adopted. It cuts by half all the fees for the services provided by the Kuwait Direct Investment Promotion Authority (KDIPA) until 31 December 2020. [...]
Kuwait
04 May 2020Temporary exemption for investment entities
On 4 May 2020, Decision No. 173 of 2020 of the Director General of the Kuwait Direct Investment Promotion Authority has been adopted. According to the decision, investors who apply for investment licenses and receive an evaluation [...]
Kuwait
15 Dec 2018Allowing foreign investors to own and trade in Kuwaiti banks' shares
On 15 December 2018, the Kuwaiti Ministry of Commerce and Industry issued a decision allowing foreign investors to own and trade in Kuwaiti banks' shares. The decision states that ownership rights of foreign investors in any Kuwaiti [...]
Kuwait
25 Sep 2016Launched the Kuwait Business Center as a new one-window transaction
On 25 September 2016, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry launched the new 'One-Window Transaction' at the 'Kuwait Business Center'. The Ministry explained that the new service center gathers several government bodies in one place [...]
Kuwait
14 Jun 2016Kuwait passed a new public tenders law
On 14 June 2016, Kuwait’s National Assembly passed the new Public Tenders Law which governs the awarding of public investment projects. This law allows for the first time foreign companies to take part in public investment projects [...]
Kuwait
25 Mar 2014New rules permitting foreign banks to open multiple branches
The new rules, which were approved by the Central Bank of Kuwait, allow foreign banks to open multiple bank branches in the country. Previously, foreign banks were limited to a single branch; were permitted to offer investment banking [...]
Kuwait
16 Jun 2013Enacts the Direct Investment Promotion Law
The Government of Kuwait enacted the Direct Investment Promotion Law (Decree Law No. 116 for 2013). Under the new law, foreign investors are allowed to own up to 100 percent equity in a Kuwaiti company. It also allows the establishment [...]
Kuwait
26 May 2010Privatization of water desalination plants
On 26 May 2010 Kuwait's Parliament passed a law to set up private companies to build new power and water desalination plants. The legislation stipulates that 50 percent of the company shares will be sold to Kuwaitis in an initial public [...]
Kuwait
13 May 2010Privatization of power and water desalination plants
The Parliament of Kuwait passed a privatization law, opening the door for transferring public-sector assets to local and foreign private ownership, and the establishment of new, private-sector companies in which the Government has [...]
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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.
Share
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