Investment Policy Monitor
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UNCTAD has been collecting information on changes in national foreign direct investment (FDI) policies on an annual basis since 1992. This collection has provided input to the analysis of global and regional investment policy trends in the World Investment Report, the Investment Policy Monitors and the UNCTAD-OECD Reports on G20 Measures.
In 2024, to further strengthen the quality of reporting, UNCTAD revised the methodology of monitoring investment policy measures. and revised the measures going back to 2012 accordingly.
The Investment Policy Monitor provides the international investment community with country-specific, up-to-date information about the latest developments in foreign investment policies.
Through its monitoring of investment policy changes, UNCTAD offers cutting-edge and innovative contributions to investment policy discourse, and contributes to preparing the ground for future policymaking in the interest of making foreign investment work for sustainable development.
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The UNCTAD's Investment Policy Monitor database include official measures affecting FDI adopted by United Nations Member States. These encompass measures explicitly targeting FDI (FDI-specific), as well as general investment measures with a clear impact on foreign 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 is based solely on their potential impact on investors.
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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United Arab Emirates
06 Jun 2024Abu Dhabi Launches a unified economic licence to enhance ease of doing business
On 6 June 2024, the Department of Economic Development of Abu Dhabi launched the Unified Economic Licence to enhance ease of doing business for investors and entrepreneurs, which unifies procedures for registering economic licences [...]
United Arab Emirates
12 Mar 2024Imposed 20 per cent annual tax on foreign banks
On 7 March 2024, the Government of the United Arab Emirates enacted Law No. 1 of 2024, which imposes a 20 per cent annual tax on foreign banks operating in the Emirate of Dubai. Exceptions are made for banks licensed within the Dubai [...]
United Arab Emirates
01 Mar 2023Introduced its investment platform “Marketplace”
On 1 March 2023, the Government of UAE (Investopia) launched a new innovative investment platform “Marketplace”, which presents new investment opportunities through a single portal. Within the platform’s working mechanism, companies, [...]
United Arab Emirates
07 Oct 2022Enters metaverse by launching META Dubai Airport Freezone to promote FDI
On 7 October 2022, Dubai Airport Freezone (DAFZ), part of Dubai Integrated Economic Zones Authority (DIEZ) announced the launch of METADAFZ, which aims to provide the free zone’s clients with a smooth digital experience in the metaverse. [...]
United Arab Emirates
06 Jul 2022Launches NextGenFDI initiative to attract digital companies
On 6 July 2022, the Ministry of Economy launched the NextGenFDI initiative to attract digitally enabled companies and draw more foreign direct investment. It is the first integrated package to facilitate company formation and offer [...]
United Arab Emirates
02 Jan 2022Opens to 100 per cent foreign ownership in most sectors
On 27 November 2021, the Government approved a wide-ranging reform of its legal system affecting more than 40 laws. The reforms come during the UAE’s “Year of the 50th” and are intended to keep pace with its developmental aspirations. [...]
United Arab Emirates
21 Oct 2021Abu Dhabi launches the Virtual Business Licence to drive more foreign investments
On 21 October 2021, the Abu Dhabi Government launched the "Virtual Licence" allowing the non-resident foreign investors to obtain an economic licence for doing business in Abu Dhabi without any prior residence procedures and from any [...]
United Arab Emirates
23 Nov 2020Amending Commercial Companies Law
On 23 November 2020, UAE issued a decree making significant amendments to the UAE Federal Law No. 2 of 2015 on Commercial Companies, which may effectively allow for 100% ownership of onshore companies by foreign nationals. The key [...]
United Arab Emirates
31 Mar 2020The "Positive List" has been officially published
On 17 March 2020, the UAE issued Cabinet Resolution No.(16) of 2020, setting out the 'Positive List of Economic Sectors and Activities in which Foreign Direct Investment is Permitted.' It became effective on 31 March 2020. 122 economic [...]
United Arab Emirates
01 Dec 2019New Qualified Investor Definition
The United Arab Emirates Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA) has issued a decision (No. 37 (R.M) of 2019), effective 1 December 2019, amending the definition of "Qualified Investor" in all regulations issued by the SCA. The [...]
United Arab Emirates
02 Jul 2019Allows full foreign ownership for thirteen sectors
Following the enactment of the UAE Federal Law No. 19 of 2018 on Foreign Direct Investment, the UAE Cabinet has adopted a "positive list of activities" covered by Article 7-3 of the Law, on 2 July 2019. The UAE Cabinet has designated [...]
United Arab Emirates
17 Apr 2019Abu Dhabi allows foreigners to own freehold properties in investment areas
On April 17, 2019, Abu Dhabi’s government has made changes to real estate laws allowing foreigners to own freehold property in designated zones to increase foreign direct investment. Before the changes, ownership of property was only [...]
United Arab Emirates
07 Feb 2019Abu Dhabi launches an investment office to attract FDI
On 7 February 2019, the President, His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, issued Law No.1 on the establishment of an Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO) and Law No.2 on regulating partnerships between public and private sectors. [...]
United Arab Emirates
23 Sep 2018New Foreign Direct Investment Law for the UAE
The President of UAE, Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, has issued Decree No.19 of 2018 on Foreign Direct Investment. The new FDI law provides a framework for the UAE Cabinet to permit foreign shareholders to own up to 100 per cent [...]
United Arab Emirates
23 Sep 2018Foreign Direct Investment Unit is to be established
The President of the UAE, Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, has issued Decree No.19 of 2018 on Foreign Direct Investment. According to the law, a Foreign Direct Investment Unit is to be established in the Ministry of Economy, which [...]
United Arab Emirates
06 Jun 2018Dubai Executive Council slashes some administrative fees
On 6 June 2018, the Dubai Executive Council approved a stimulus plan to reduce the cost of doing business. The new policy aims to slash "market fees" imposed by Dubai Municipality from 5 per cent to 2.5 per cent, in addition to scrapping [...]
United Arab Emirates
01 May 2017Allows DIFC-registered firms to obtain dual licenses to operate across Dubai
On 1 May 2017, the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Dubai Economy - the Government body for economic policy making and management - to allow companies operating within DIFC [...]
United Arab Emirates
15 Sep 2015The government lifts Etisalat foreign ownership restriction
The Federal Government of UAE allowed foreigners to exchange "Etisalat (the largest telecom company)" stock up to 20% of the institution's capital. From 15 Sep 2015, trading of Etisalat's share by overseas investors has started in [...]
United Arab Emirates
27 Jan 2014Establishment of the Dubai Investment Development Agency
The law establishes the "Dubai Investment Development Agency" , and provides, inter alia, a strategic plan for the attraction and development of investment in line with the economic development plan of the emirate. It offers preferential [...]
United Arab Emirates
20 Jan 2014Measures to liberalize entry to the Hotel Sector
Dubai has introduced a series of reforms aimed at making it easier to set up hotels in the emirate. The Government cut the length of the pre‑approval process by two-thirds for private developers to build hotels. It shortened the approval [...]
United Arab Emirates
01 May 2013Establishes free economic zone "Global Marketplace"
The Emirate of Abu Dhabi enacted a law to establish an economic free zone called "Global Marketplace Abu Dhabi". Under the law, licenced companies—both local and foreign—in financial and banking activities and services and storage, [...]
United Arab Emirates
22 Jun 2012Issues regulation to ease foreign ownership of land
The United Arab Emirates (Dubai) issued Regulation No. 2 of 2012 to add land to areas where non-UAE nationals may own real estate properties in the emirate. Non-UAE citizens are allowed to acquire the usufruct right (life interest) [...]
United Arab Emirates
16 Jun 2011Ends state monopoly in power generation and water desalination
The Government of Dubai has amended the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) Law to allow and regulate the participation of the private sector in power generation and water production. The regulation ended a state monopoly [...]
United Arab Emirates
08 May 2011Grants concession for processing the re-sale of property
Damac Properties was selected by the Dubai Land Department to be granted access to the department's electronic property registry system (Oqood system), for the purpose of remotely completing resale transactions for off-plan property [...]
United Arab Emirates
03 Mar 2011Approves full foreign ownership in economic zones around Abu Dhabi Airport
The Executive Council of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi approved a resolution allowing 100 percent foreign ownership of investments around the Abu Dhabi airport. The decree was passed in order to encourage more foreign investment and further [...]
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UNCTAD has been collecting information on changes in national foreign direct investment (FDI) policies on an annual basis since 1992. This collection has provided input to the analysis of global and regional investment policy trends in the World Investment Report, the Investment Policy Monitors and the UNCTAD-OECD Reports on G20 Measures.
In 2024, to further strengthen the quality of reporting, UNCTAD revised the methodology of monitoring investment policy measures. and revised the measures going back to 2012 accordingly.
The Investment Policy Monitor provides the international investment community with country-specific, up-to-date information about the latest developments in foreign investment policies.
Through its monitoring of investment policy changes, UNCTAD offers cutting-edge and innovative contributions to investment policy discourse, and contributes to preparing the ground for future policymaking in the interest of making foreign investment work for sustainable development.
-
The UNCTAD's Investment Policy Monitor database include official measures affecting FDI adopted by United Nations Member States. These encompass measures explicitly targeting FDI (FDI-specific), as well as general investment measures with a clear impact on foreign 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 is based solely on their potential impact on investors.
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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