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
13 resultsOman
29 Aug 2024Bans foreign investment in 28 new activities
On 28 August 2024, Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion of Oman issued Ministerial Decision No 435/2024 to amend certain provisions of Ministerial Decision No 209/2020, which lists the activities prohibited for foreign [...]
Oman
17 Jan 2024Launched $5.2 billion Future Fund for FDI and SMEs
On 17 January 2024, the Oman Investment Authority (OIA) launched "the future fund Oman" to invest in a wide range of industries to develop the national economy and attract foreign investments. The fund has a capital of $5.2 billion [...]
Oman
04 Apr 2022Amends the Regulations of the Foreign Capital Investment Law to promote FDI
On 4 April 2022, the Ministry of Commerce, Industry, and Investment Promotion (MOCIIP) amended certain articles of the Executive Regulations of the Foreign Capital Investment Law (FCIL ER) to enhance the promotion of foreign investment. [...]
Oman
14 Dec 2020Prohibiting foreign investment in some activities
On 14 December 2020, the Ministerial Decision 209/2020, which lists the activities that are prohibited for foreign investors, came into effect. It aims to promote local products and entrepreneurship projects while providing priority [...]
Oman
14 Jun 2020New Executive Regulations of the Foreign Capital Investment Law
The Ministry of Commerce and Industry issued Ministerial Decision 72/2020 (“MD 72/2020”) on the Executive Regulations of the Foreign Capital Investment Law (Sultani Decree 50/2019). The Executive Regulations came into effect on 14 [...]
Oman
24 Nov 2019Launches new investment portal
On 24 November 2019, Oman’s investment promotion and export development agency ( "Ithraa") unveiled the "Invest in Oman" portal. The first and only investment platform dedicated to driving and facilitating foreign investment into the [...]
Oman
01 Jul 2019Privatisation Law promulgated
On 1 July 2019, Oman's Ministry of Legal Affairs has published Royal Decree No.50/2019, which promulgated the Privatisation Law. The newly proposed Public Authority for Privatisation and Partnership will oversee the implementation [...]
Oman
01 Jul 2019Public-Private Partnership Law was promulgated.
On 1 July 2019, Oman's Ministry of Legal Affairs has published Royal Decree No.52/2019, which promulgated the Public-Private Partnership Law. The law defines the concept of partnership as a business or public service of economic or [...]
Oman
01 Jul 2019Adoption of new Foreign Capital Investment Law
On 1 July 2019, Oman's Ministry of Legal Affairs has published Royal Decree No. 50/2019, which promulgated the country's new Foreign Capital Investment Law. The Foreign Capital Investment Law shall enter into force six months after [...]
Oman
13 May 2019Ban on hiring expats in the Omani private sector
On 7 May 2019, the Ministry of Manpower issued Ministerial Decision 221/2019 (the MD), implementing a ban on both issuing and renewing work permits for non-Omani individuals in nine job roles in the private sector. The nine positions [...]
Oman
26 May 2012Reorganizes the Public Authority for Investment Promotion and Export Development
Oman issued Royal Decree No. 35/2012 to reorganize the Public Authority for Investment Promotion and Export Development. The agency is placed under the jurisdiction of Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Law also gives power to the Chairman [...]
Oman
28 Mar 2011Establishes Public Authority for Investment Promotion and Exports Development
Oman enacted Royal Decree No. 52/2011 to establish the Public Authority for Investment Promotion and Exports Development. This decree amended Royal Decree No. 59/96 in order to reorganize investment promotion in the country. [...]
Oman
07 Apr 2010Introduces regulations on Al Mazyounah free-trade zone
Promoting Oman's free-trade zone Al Mazyouna on the border with Yemen, the Minister of Commerce and Industry signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Golden Hala Trading and Contracting to develop the zone's infrastructure and issued [...]
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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
