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 operations: 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
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United States of America
31 Mar 2025Established the United States Investment Accelerator
In implementation of the "America First Investment Policy", on 31 March 2025, the Government of the United States announced that a "United States Investment Accelerator" would become operational within 30 days. The new entity is tasked [...]
United States of America
21 Feb 2025America First Investment Policy increases restrictions on FDI from and to "foreign adversaries"
On 21 February 2025, the Government of the United States of America published The America First Investment Policy, which aims to encourage investment from allies by facilitating investments while also increasing restrictions on "foreign [...]
United States of America
21 Feb 2025America First Investment Policy aims to facilitate investment from "allies and partners"
On 21 February 2025, the Government of the United States of America published The America First Investment Policy, which aims to boost investment from allies by facilitating investments, while also increasing restrictions on "foreign [...]
United States of America
28 Oct 2024Finalizes restrictions on outward investment in "critical technology" sectors in countries of concern
On 28 October 2024, the Department of the Treasury issued a Final Rule that will take effect on 2 January 2025. This rule implements Executive Order 14105 of 8 August 2023, “Addressing United States Investments in Certain National [...]
United States of America
08 Jul 2024Expands FDI screening on certain real estate transactions
On 1 November 2024, the Department of the Treasury of the United States, as Chair of the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) and in cooperation with the Department of Defense, issued a final rule that significantly [...]
United States of America
30 Apr 2024New National Security Memorandum on Critical Infrastructure Security and Resilience
On 30 April 2024, the President of the United States signed a National Security Memorandum to secure and enhance the resilience of critical infrastructure and to replace a decade-old document from 2013. Although the memorandum is an [...]
United States of America
12 Feb 2024Updates the Critical and Emerging Technologies List
On 12 February 2024, the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy released the update to the Critical and Emerging Technologies (CET) List. The list contains technologies considered potentially significant to United States [...]
United States of America
12 Feb 2024Strengthens protection of sensitive personal data
On 12 February 2024, the President of the United States issued the Executive Order to Protect Americans’ Sensitive Personal Data. It authorizes the Attorney General to halt the large-scale transfer of personal data to certain countries [...]
United States of America
11 Jan 2024The National Defense Industrial Strategy recognizes threats posed by foreign transactions
On 11 January 2024, the Department of Defense unveiled its National Defense Industrial Strategy (NDIS), aimed at developing "a more robust, resilient, and dynamic modernised defense industrial ecosystem". The Strategy outlines a [...]
United States of America
01 Jan 2024Beneficial Ownership Information requirements enter into force on 1 January 2024
Starting from 1 January 2024, companies operating in the United States will be required to provide information on their beneficial owners to the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, a bureau of the U.S. Department of the Treasury. [...]
United States of America
22 Dec 2023Introduces secondary sanctions on foreign financial institutions
On 22 December 2023, the President of the United States issued an Executive Order titled "Taking Additional Steps With Respect to the Russian Federation’s Harmful Activities." This order introduces sanctions against foreign financial [...]
United States of America
20 Dec 2023The U.S. Treasury revised its Guidance on the Price Cap for Russian Oil
On 20 December 2023, the Treasury of the United States published its updated 'Guidance on Implementation of the Price Cap Policy for Crude Oil and Petroleum Products of Russian Federation Origin', which introduces amendments agreed [...]
United States of America
12 Dec 2023Imposed new sanctions relating to the confilct in Ukraine
On 12 December 2023, the Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) of the United States, in alignment with commitments from the G7 Meeting, expanded its list of sanctions to include over 150 individuals and [...]
United States of America
02 Nov 2023U.S. Treasury adds an additional 130 targets in its Ukraine-related sanctions
On 2 November 2023, the Department of the Treasury extended its targeted sanctions list to ca. 130 individuals and entities. The sanctions targets include: 1) entities based in P.R. China, Türkiye, and the United Arab Emirates which [...]
United States of America
22 Sep 2023Limits use of CHIPS Act funds due to national security concerns
On 22 September 2023, the United States Department of Commerce released the final rule implementing the CHIPS and Science Act. The new regulations restrict recipients of funds allocated under the Act from expanding semiconductor manufacturing [...]
United States of America
22 Sep 2023FDI screening expanded over new real estate locations
On 23 August 2023 the amendment to the Provisions Pertaining to Certain Transactions by Foreign Persons Involving Real Estate in the United States was published, which will enter into force on 22 September the same year. The regulations [...]
United States of America
14 Sep 2023Extends sanctions relating to harmful foreign activities of the Government of the Russian Federation
On 14 September 2023, the Department of State designated new entities and individuals subject to sanctions under Executive Order 14024. The new designation concerns 37 entities involved in energy production and exports, developing [...]
United States of America
10 Aug 2023Authorizes certain transactions with the Russian Central Bank, National Wealth Fund and the Russian Ministry of Finance
On 10 August 2023, the Department of the Treasury, Office of Foreign Assets Control, issued the General License no. 13F, which authorizes certain transactions with the Central Bank of the Russian Federation, the National Wealth Fund [...]
United States of America
09 Aug 2023The United States introduces outbound investment controls on certain transactions
On 9 August 2023, the President of the United States issued Executive Order 14105, which declared a national emergency to deal with "an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security of the United States" in the advancement [...]
United States of America
01 Aug 2023Alabama restricts land acquisition by "foreign principals"
The Alabama Property Protection Act, which entered into force on 1 August 2023, stipulates that no 'foreign principal' shall acquire title or a controlling interest in agricultural and forest properties, as well as any land or property [...]
United States of America
20 Jul 2023Introduces new targeted sanctions affecting investment
Several new sanctions were adopted in the summer of 2023: On 20 July 2023, the United States imposed sanctions on 5 companies involved in finishing key Russian energy projects and exploratory drilling, 3 entities from the shipping [...]
United States of America
08 May 2023Florida adopts law introducing restrictions of investment and acquiring certain land from selected countries
On 8 May 2023, the Florida Senate Bill 264 was signed into law. The law provides for restrictions for persons and entities from "foreign countries of concern", which are P.R. China, the Russian Federation, the Islamic Republic of Iran, [...]
United States of America
24 Oct 2022Expands sanctions on Nicaragua, targeting the gold sector.
On 24 October 2022, the President of the United States signed Executive Order 14088, “Taking Additional Steps to Address the National Emergency With Respect to the Situation in Nicaragua”, amending E.O. 13851. The new executive order [...]
United States of America
15 Sep 2022Issued new Executive Order to strengthen the screening mechanism for Inbound Foreign Investments
On 15 September 2022, the president of the United States issued an Executive Order providing formal guidance to the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) on factors CFIUS must consider when conducting national [...]
United States of America
16 Aug 2022Imposes a 15% minimum corporate tax rate on the largest, most profitable corporations
On 16 August 2022, the President of the United States signed the Inflation Reduction Act into law. Part of that law aims to make the tax code fairer and reduce the deficit by introducing: A 15% corporate alternative minimum tax rate: [...]
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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 operations: 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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