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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Myanmar
20 Apr 2022Exempts foreign investors from forex rules to promote FDI
On 20 April 2022, the Central Bank of Myanmar (CBM) announced an exemption for certain foreign direct investment (FDI) projects from their recently announced requirement to convert foreign currency balances to Myanmar kyat (MMK) to [...]
Myanmar
02 Apr 2022Established the Foreign Exchange Supervisory Committee
On 13 May 2022, Myanmar’s State Administration Council (SAC) published Order No. 28/2022, dated 4 April 2022, that provides for the establishment of the Foreign Exchange Supervisory Committee (FESC) to approve foreign currency conversion, [...]
Myanmar
26 Jun 2019Investment Promotion Committee launched
On 26 June 2019, the Ministry of Investment and Foreign Economic Relations formally launched the Investment Promotion Committee at a ceremony held in Nay Pyi Taw. This Committee is expected to create a fair and prosperous society by [...]
Myanmar
19 Nov 2018Myanmar establishes new investment ministry
The Union Assembly, on 19 November 2018, approved the formation of a new ministry called the Ministry of Investment and Foreign Economic Relations. The new ministry is expected to promote local and foreign investments, protect the [...]
Myanmar
08 Nov 2018Foreign banks are allowed to provide commercial services to local businesses
According to notification No. 6/2018 released on 8 November 2018, the Central Bank of Myanmar allowed all branches of foreign banks to provide commercial services such as financing and other banking services to local businesses. [...]
Myanmar
01 Aug 2018New Myanmar Companies Act takes effect on 1 August 2018
The new Myanmar Companies Act, which the President approved on 6 December 2017, takes effect on 1 August 2018. Under the new Act, foreign investors are allowed to hold up to 35 per cent of shares in a domestic company without the company [...]
Myanmar
01 Aug 2018Thirteen Foreign Banks are Allowed to Offer Import Financing Services
The Central Bank of Myanmar (CBM) gave clearance to 13 foreign banks seeking to provide import financing services. Foreign banks in Myanmar are still prohibited from providing retail banking services like savings accounts and loans [...]
Myanmar
01 Aug 2018Re-registration of companies within six months
Along with the enactment of the new Myanmar Companies Law, the Myanmar Investment Commission asked all companies in the country to re-register within six months from the date when the law takes effect on 1 August 2018. This move, partly [...]
Myanmar
26 Jul 2018Allows local and foreign investment in mining
Starting from 26 July 2018, local and foreign investment in mining operations in Myanmar will be permitted, following an assessment of the industry’s environmental impacts. However, investors are required to seek permission from the [...]
Myanmar
09 May 2018Myanmar liberalises the wholesale and retail sector
On 9 May 2018, the Ministry of Commerce issued Notification 25/2018, which allows 100 per cent foreign ownership of businesses operating in the wholesale and retail sectors (other than “small” convenience stores). However, foreign [...]
Myanmar
20 Apr 2018Issues a Notification related to investment in the education sector
On 20 April 2018, the Myanmar Investment Commission (MIC) issued a Notification (7-2018) allowing foreigners to make full capital investments in private schools. According to the Notification, the MIC may permit domestic or foreign [...]
Myanmar
08 Mar 2018Foreign investors are permitted to invest up to 80% in agriculture sector
Foreign businesses have been allowed to invest up to 80 percent in Myanmar's agriculture sector instead of 49 percent previously, according to Myanmar Investment Commission (MIC). [...]
Myanmar
06 Dec 2017Adopts the new Myanmar Companies Act
On 6 December 2017, the President approved the Myanmar's new Companies Act, replacing the country’s old Companies Act of 1914. The new Act aims to adopt international best practices related to company formation, business registration [...]
Myanmar
12 Jun 2017Allows foreigners to trade in some industries even without Joint Ventures with Myanmar citizens
On 12 June 2017, the Ministry of Commerce issued Notification 36/2017 to permit foreign companies to engage in trading of fertilizers, seeds, pesticides, hospital equipment, and construction materials. Previously, only local companies [...]
Myanmar
10 Apr 2017Issues lists on promoted sectors and restricted investment activities
The Myanmar Investment Commission (MIC) issued the list of Promoted Sectors (Notification No. 13/2017) on 1 April 2017 and the list of Restricted Investment Activities (Notification No. 15/2017) on 10 April 2017. According to the [...]
Myanmar
30 Mar 2017Myanmar introduces the "Myanmar Investment Rules"
On 30 March 2017, the Ministry of Planning and Finance published the 'Myanmar Investment Rules' (Notification 35/2017), as a follow-up to the new Myanmar Investment Law enacted in October 2016. Most of the amendments are re-phrasing [...]
Myanmar
22 Nov 2016Myanmar eased investment restrictions on foreign-local joint ventures
On 22 November 2016, the Ministry of Commerce has revoked a ceiling on the amount of funds that a foreign-local joint venture trading firm can use in its operations. Foreign investors engaged in joint venture businesses with Myanmar [...]
Myanmar
18 Oct 2016Enacts the new Investment Law
On 18 October 2016, the new Investment Law of Myanmar was enacted, which consolidates the Myanmar Citizens Investment Law and the Foreign Investment Law. Compared to the old legislation which required all investment proposals to obtain [...]
Myanmar
07 Jul 2016Myanmar allows foreigners to set up joint ventures for trading in construction materials
On 7 July 2016, Myanmar’s Commerce Ministry issued Notification No. 56/2016 which allows trade in construction materials, provided that foreign investors engage in such activities in joint ventures with local firms. [...]
Myanmar
24 Mar 2016Myanmar amends the list of foreign investment restrictions
On 24 March 2016, the Myanmar Investment Commission (MIC) issued notification (No. 26/2016) amending the list of foreign investment restrictions. According to the notification, seed and rubber production - the production and distribution [...]
Myanmar
22 Jan 2016The Union Parliament approved the Condominium Law to allow 40 per cent foreign ownership
On 22 January 2016, Myanmar’s Union Parliament passed the Condominium Law that will permit foreigners to own up to 40 per cent of a condo building. The Condominium Law applies to high-rise residential buildings having at least six [...]
Myanmar
05 Jan 2016Myanmar passed a new Arbitration Law
On 5 January 2016, the Union Parliament of Myanmar passed a new Arbitration Law (Law No. 5/2016). The new law provides a comprehensive legal framework for the conduct of domestic and international arbitration arising in Myanmar. This [...]
Myanmar
29 Dec 2015Parliament passed a motion for the initial development of the Kyaukphyu Special Economic Zone
On 29 December 2015, the Parliament of Myanmar passed a motion to commence the development of the Kyaukphyu Special Economic Zone (SEZ). Kyaukphyu SEZ is a 1,600 hectares area in Rakhine State and is planned to be developed as a “trade [...]
Myanmar
24 Dec 2015Myanmar passed a new Mines Law
On 24 December 2015, the Union parliament adopted a new Mines Law (Law No. 72/2015) to amend the Mines Law of 1994. This law introduced several major reforms favourable to foreign investors, including: (1) changing the practice of [...]
Myanmar
17 Dec 2015Myanmar introduced a new Investment law
On 17 December 2015, the Parliament approved the new Investment Law, consolidating and replacing the 2012 Foreign Investment Law and the 2013 Myanmar Citizens Investment Law. According to the new law, the Myanmar Investment Commission [...]
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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
Latest publications
