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
Bahamas
01 Jul 2025Introduces new tax credit programme for qualifying investment activities
On 1 July 2025, the Bahamas enacted the Business Development Incentives Programme Act, 2025, establishing the Business Development Incentives Programme to provide financial incentives to eligible business licence holders. [...]
Bahamas
01 Jan 2025Tightens eligibility requirements for economic permanent residence
On 1 January 2025, the Bahamas brought into force the Immigration (Amendment) (No. 2) Act, 2024, amending section 17A of the Immigration Act, which governs economic permanent residence. The amendment raises the minimum qualifying investment [...]
Bahamas
13 Apr 2022Bans all transactions by financial institutions under its jurisdiction with Russian entities
On 13 March 2022, the Government of the Bahamas prohibited all transactions by its national financial institutions with Russian entities that are already targeted by European and United States economic sanctions, in response to the [...]
Bahamas
01 Jan 2022Adopts a zero VAT rate on financial services
On December 13th, 2021, the Official Gazette published the "Value Added Tax (Amendment)(No. 2) Act, 2021". This amendment defines a zero VAT rate for businesses providing financial services. [...]
Bahamas
05 Oct 2018Creates the "Economic Empowerment Zones"
On October 5th, 2018, the Official Gazette published the "Economic Empowerment Zones Act". This act expires on July 1st, 2023, with the possibility of extending it up to five years. Upon reception of a certificate, businesses located [...]
Bahamas
01 Jul 2018Repealing of VAT exemption on real estate transactions
On June 29th, 2018, the Official Gazette published the "Value Added Tax (Amendment) Act, 2018". The VAT exemption on real estate transactions adopted in 2015 is repealed. The applicable rate will be 12 per cent, as defined in this [...]
Bahamas
01 Jul 2018VAT increase from 7.5 to 12 per cent
On June 29th, 2018, the Official Gazette published the "Value Added Tax (Amendment) Act, 2018". From July 1st, 2018, the VAT increased from 7.5 to 12 per cent, unless the context requires differently. [...]
Bahamas
04 May 2016Creation of various tax exemptions for investment projects in the Port Area
On August 26th, 2016, the Official Gazette published the "Grand Bahamas (Port Area) Investment Incentives Act", coming into force on May 4th, 2016, and expiring twenty years later. This act rewards investment projects in the Port [...]
Bahamas
01 Jul 2015Exemption from VAT for international transportation services
On July 1st, 2015, the Official Gazette published the "Value Added Tax (Amendment) Act, 2015". International transportation services are now exempted from Value Added Tax. [...]
Bahamas
01 Jul 2015Application of VAT to real estate transactions
On July 1st, 2015, the Official Gazette published the "Value Added Tax (Amendment) Act, 2015". This amendment makes real estate transactions subject to VAT. However, the following remain exempt from VAT: the rental of dwellings; the [...]
Bahamas
01 Jan 2015Introduced a VAT (7.5 per cent)
On September 19th, 2014, the Official Gazette published the "Value Added Tax Act". This Act introduces a Value Added Tax of 7.5 per cent applicable to almost all goods and services in The Bahamas; a tax which did not previously exist [...]
Bahamas
08 Feb 2011Approves privatization of Bahamas Telecommunications Co (BTC)
On 6 April, the Government completed the privatization of the Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC), with the sale of 51 percent of the shares to Cable and Wireless Communications (CWC). It received US $210 million from CWC, and [...]
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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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