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
27 resultsUnited Kingdom
24 May 2024Prohibits foreign state control over newspaper enterprises
On 24 May 2024, the United Kingdom adopted the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024. This Act amends the Enterprise Act 2002 to prevent foreign state control over United Kingdom newspaper enterprises. Specifically, it [...]
United Kingdom
21 May 2024Updates guidance on the investment screening regime and clarifies its application to outward FDI
On 21 May 2024, the Government of the United Kingdom published updated guidance on the investment screening procedure under the National Security and Investment Act (NSIA) to clarify its approach and reduce uncertainty for businesses [...]
United Kingdom
20 Nov 2023Extends the investment zone and freeport tax reliefs
On 20 November 2023, the Government of the United Kingdom announced that the investment zone and freeport tax reliefs will be extended from five to ten years. In addition, each investment zone will be provided with 160 million pounds [...]
United Kingdom
26 Oct 2023Enacts an Energy Act focussed on promoting investment in clean technologies
On 26 October 2023, the United Kingdom enacted the Energy Act 2023, a pivotal reform in the energy system with a primary focus on promoting investment in clean technologies and achieving the United Kingdom's net-zero targets. One [...]
United Kingdom
30 Jun 2023Introduces a new prohibition on the provision of legal advisory services under the sanctions regime
On 30 June 2023, the Government of the United Kingdom has introduced a new prohibition on the provision of legal advisory services where the legal advisory services are provided in relation to certain financial or trade activities [...]
United Kingdom
27 Apr 2023Publishes new guidance on its National Security and Investment Act
On 27 April 2023, the Government of the United Kingdom published new Market Guidance on the National Security and Investment Act 2021. The latest guidance provides more detailed information on various aspects of the National Security [...]
United Kingdom
13 Jan 2023Establishes two green freeports in Scotland
On 13 January 2023, two green freeports were established in Scotland. The freeports aim to promote innovation, create new green employment opportunities, uphold the highest environmental protections, and support economic transformation. [...]
United Kingdom
05 Dec 2022Prohibits the delivery by ship of oil and oil products from the Russian Federation and related ancillary services
On 5 December 2022, the United Kingdom adopted The Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) (Amendment) (No. 16) Regulations 2022. It prohibits the supply and delivery by ship of certain oil and oil products from the Russian Federation to a third [...]
United Kingdom
17 Nov 2022Imposes new levy on companies generating electricity and increases the Energy Profits Levy to 35 per cent
On 17 November 2022, the Government imposed new windfall taxes on companies of the energy industry. The Energy Profit Levy, which applies to the profits of oil and gas companies, was originally introduced in May 2022 at a rate of 25 [...]
United Kingdom
28 Oct 2022Bans the import of liquefied natural gas from the Russian Federation and related funds and services
On 28 October 2022, the United Kingdom imposed further trade sanctions against the Russian Federation. Among others, it prohibits the import of liquefied natural gas which originates in or is consigned from the Russian Federation as [...]
United Kingdom
19 Jul 2022Expands restrictions on investments into the Russian Federation
On 18 July 2022, by the Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit)(Amendment) (No.12) Regulations 2022, the United Kingdom introduced new restrictions on investments into the Russian Federation. Restrictions regarding investments (and services directly [...]
United Kingdom
05 Jul 2022Imposes further financial and trade sanctions against Belarus
On 5 July 2022, the United Kingdom’s Government amended the Republic of Belarus (Sanctions) (EU exit) Regulations 2019. The amendments widen the financial sanctions by extending existing restrictions to a broader range of transferable [...]
United Kingdom
19 May 2022Freezes assets of three major airlines in the Russian Federation
On 19 May 2022, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office updated the United Kingdom Sanctions List to include three major Russian airlines: JSC ROSSIYA AIRLINES, JSC URAL AIRLINES, PJSC AEROFLOT. These companies are now subject [...]
United Kingdom
21 Apr 2022Freezes assets of Russian entities from military sector and transport industry
On 21 April 2022, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office of the United Kingdom updated the UK Sanctions List to include Russian additional individuals and entities. Beyond several companies in the defence sector, the list [...]
United Kingdom
06 Apr 2022Freezes assets of two additional Russian banks
On 6 April 2022, Sberbank and Credit Bank of Moscow were added to the list of Russian banks subject to asset freeze. [...]
United Kingdom
30 Mar 2022Extends the finance, shipping and trade restrictions to the Donetsk and Luhansk regions
On 30 March 2022, the existing finance, shipping and trade restrictions in respect of Crimea were extended to the areas of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions not controlled by the Government of Ukraine. This includes the following prohibitions: [...]
United Kingdom
01 Mar 2022Introduced some new trade, financial and investment sanctions against the Russian Federation
On 1 March 2022, by Amendments No.2-5 the Government added some new trade, financial and investment sanctions to the Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2022. Amendment No.2 extended financial restrictions to include a broader [...]
United Kingdom
04 Jan 2022New investment screening regime will be operational on 4 January 2022
The British Government set the date of the commencement of the National Security and Investment Act for 4 January 2022. The new legislation is a major amendment of foreign investment screening mechanism in the United Kingdom. Additionally, [...]
United Kingdom
19 Nov 2021Designates Teesside Freeport as the first Free Zone
On 19 November 2021, the Government of the United Kingdom by the Order SI 2021/1290 has designated Teesside Freeport as Free Zone. It is the first out of eight Free Zones announced by the UK Government that are expected to become hubs [...]
United Kingdom
29 Apr 2021National Security and Investment Bill receives Royal Assent
On 29 April 2021, the National Security and Investment Bill received Royal Assent and became law in the United Kingdom. It will enter into force upon a date decided by the Government. The main purpose of the Act is to introduce a stand-alone [...]
United Kingdom
27 Apr 2021UK Investment Council established
On 27 April 2021, the UK Investment Council was established to "to enhance UK inward investment and inform the UK’s independent trade policy by providing a forum for global investors" to advice the Government. The Council is chaired [...]
United Kingdom
20 Jul 2020Additional technologies covered by FDI screening mechanism
On 20 July 2020, the Business Secretary made two additional orders amending the circumstances when the Government may intervene in mergers under the Enterprise Act 2002. The changes lower the jurisdictional thresholds for merger controls [...]
United Kingdom
22 Jun 2020Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the UK starts screening foreign takeovers and their impact on public health emergencies
On 22 June 2020, the Foreign Secretary issued an Order amending the Enterprise Act 2002 to add the “need to maintain in the UK the capability to combat, and mitigate the effects of public health emergencies” as a “specified consideration” [...]
United Kingdom
11 Jun 2018The United Kingdom strengthens its control over mergers in critical sectors due to national security considerations
On 11 June 2018, the United Kingdom brought two amendments to the Enterprise Act 2002 into force. These amendments change the conditions for the application of the UK’s reviews of inward investment to manage national security concerns. [...]
United Kingdom
01 Aug 2013Introduces job requirements for wind farm subsidies
The Government of the United Kingdom introduced additional requirement for big offshore wind farms to apply for subsidies. Developers of offshore wind farms will have to explain how they plan to create more British jobs before applying [...]
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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.