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
18 results
Thailand
15 Jan 2025Ease conditions of Long-Term Resident Visa for employees of foreign companies and investors
On 15 January 2025, Thailand approved updates to the criteria and conditions of the Long-Term Resident (LTR) visa, introducing significant changes aimed at attracting foreign investment. One key amendment allows employees of wholly [...]
Thailand
09 Aug 2024Introduced incentive package for joint ventures with foreign investors in the automotive parts sector
On 8 August 2024, Thailand approved incentives for joint ventures (JV) between Thai and foreign companies to manufacture automotive parts for vehicles. The incentives will apply to the manufacturing of parts for internal combustion [...]
Thailand
24 Mar 2024Expanded PCB manufacturing incentives to cover the entire supply chain
On 24 March 2024, the Board of Investment (BOI) of Thailand approved a revision of the types of businesses qualified to receive incentives granted to manufacturers of printed circuit boards (PCB) to cover the entire supply chain. [...]
Thailand
24 Nov 2023Institutes new investor visa for Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC)
On 24 November 2023, the Government of Thailand approved the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) visa and work permit for foreigners, imposing a flat income tax rate of 17 per cent to boost foreign investments. The EEC, which covers three [...]
Thailand
03 Feb 2023Allows foreigners to work or invest in 18 targeted industries
On 3 February 2023, The Royal Thai Gazette website published a notice from the Ministry of Interior announcing a special permit for migrant workers to work or invest in 18 industries to boost the economy. The 3rd version of the notice, [...]
Thailand
01 Jun 2022Reduced import tariff for four major investment projects
On 1 June 2022, the Board of Investment (BOI) of Thailand approved tax incentives (import tariff reduction) for four major investment projects with combined investment value of 209 billion THB (around $ 6 billion) to promote further [...]
Thailand
22 Feb 2022Waives personal income tax for three groups of foreign investors
On 22, February 2022, the Government of Thailand approved waiving personal income tax for three groups of foreign taxpayers: high-income earners, retirees and foreigners who want to work remotely from Thailand. The beneficiaries would [...]
Thailand
14 Sep 2021Issues New Incentives to Attract Foreign Investors, Retirees and Professionals.
On September 14, 2021, Thailand’s Cabinet passed a resolution introducing immigration, tax, and land ownership incentives aimed at attracting foreign investors, wealthy pensioners, professionals who can work remotely from Thailand [...]
Thailand
29 Aug 2019Updated Minimum Capital Provisions for Foreign Companies in Thailand
Thailand’s Ministry of Commerce, to fulfill various treaty obligations and for ease of enforcement, has abolished the previous three ministerial regulations on minimum capital for foreign companies, and issued a single new Ministerial [...]
Thailand
08 Feb 2018Passes the Eastern Economic Corridor Act
On 8 February 2018, the National Legislative Assembly passed the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) Act. The new act provides incentives such as tax grants, the right to land ownership and the issue of visas. It also sets out the rules [...]
Thailand
16 Jan 2018Introduces 'Smart Visa' to attract highly skilled foreign talents
On 16 January 2018, the Cabinet approved a new visa system ('Smart Visa') to attract foreign highly skilled talents. The Smart Visa applies to foreign entrepreneurs, high-level executives, start-up business owners or highly-skilled [...]
Thailand
09 Jun 2017Exempts certain business activities from the requirement to obtain a license under the Foreign Business Act
On 9 June 2017, the Ministry of Commerce has issued a regulation exempting certain business activities from the requirement of obtaining a foreign business license. The exempted businesses can be divided into two groups. Group 1 includes [...]
Thailand
21 Feb 2017Launches new measures to promote technology-based activities
On 21 February 2017, the Board of Investment (BOI) approved technology-based incentives to enhance the country's technological competitiveness. Key incentives include: (1) Up to 13 years corporate income tax (CIT) exemption to "investment [...]
Thailand
14 Feb 2017The Competitiveness Enhancement Act came into force
On 14 February 2017, the Competitiveness Enhancement Act came into force aimed at promoting investment in R&D, advanced technology and innovation. The Act exempts qualifying firms’ from corporate income tax for up to 15 years and [...]
Thailand
25 Jan 2017Amends the Investment Promotion Act
Effective from 25 January 2017, Thailand introduced its new Investment Promotion Act to provide more incentives to high-tech industries. Major changes from this amendment are as follows: (1) An exemption of import duty will be granted [...]
Thailand
19 Feb 2016Thailand exempts foreign business from license requirement in certain banking and insurance industries
Thailand's Ministry of Commerce has issued a ministerial regulation exempting certain banking and insurance industries from the restricted business activities under Schedule 3 of the Foreign Business Act. Foreign companies in (1) commercial [...]
Thailand
13 Sep 2012Revises tax package for regional operating headquarters
Regional Operating Headquarters of foreign investors in Thailand will receive a 15 year corporate income tax exemption. [...]
Thailand
15 Dec 2011Permits foreign banks to establish a subsidiary in Thailand
The Bank of Thailand annouced the policy which enables foreign banks which currently operate a branch in Thailand to apply to convert such a branch into a subsidiary, which can have a maximum of 20 branches and 20 off-premise ATMs, [...]
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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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