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
15 results
Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of
20 Jul 2022Enacts new legal framework and new investment incentives for Special Economic Zones
On 20 July 2022, the Government of Venezuela enacted the "Ley Orgánica de las Zonas Económicas Especiales", a new legal framework for Special Economic Zones (SEZ), with the objective of developing a new national productive model; promoting [...]
Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of
02 Aug 2018Legalizes money exchanges
On 2 August 2018, Venezuela legalized money exchange operations to relax the currency controls imposed by the Government first introduced in 2003. The Decree seeks to reinforce guarantees for individuals and legal entities, whether [...]
Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of
29 Dec 2017Adopts new foreign investment law
On 29 December 2017, the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela published the new Constitutional Law on Foreign Productive Investment in the Official Gazette Nº 41.310. It aims to establish the principles, policies and procedures that regulate [...]
Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of
11 Jul 2016Takes over Kimberly-Clark plant
The Government of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela has taken control over a factory for personal care products belonging to Kimberly-Clark Corp (United States) after the company declared that it was no longer possible to manufacture [...]
Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of
18 Nov 2014Introduces a new Foreign Investment Law
On 18 November 2014, the Government of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela published Decree No. 1,438. The core scope of this Decree is to establish the principles, policies, and procedures for foreign investment in the country. Key [...]
Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of
26 Sep 2014Expropriation of Colorox
On 26 September 2014, the Government of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela announced the expropriation of Colorox Venezuela. Prior to the expropriation, Colorox Venezuela was under the ownership and management of The Colorox Company, [...]
Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of
24 Jan 2014Changes to the currency system
In January 2014, the Government of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela made several changes to the currency system. These changes prevent Venezuelans from purchasing United States dollars for travel at the official fixed rate. Rather, [...]
Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of
23 Jan 2014Sets limits on business profits
The President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela issued a decree setting limits on profits for businesses. The maximum profit margin will be established annually by the Superintendecia Nacional para la Defensa de los Derechos [...]
Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of
19 Jul 2012Loosens foreign exchange controls for foreign companies
The Government of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela partially liberalized foreign exchange controls that were in place since 2003 by allowing companies partnered with the State to hold foreign currency accounts in local banks (Convenio [...]
Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of
26 Oct 2010Nationalizes glass producer
The Government of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela has taken over facilities owned by glass producer Owens-Illinois (United States). [...]
Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of
11 Oct 2010Nationalizes fertiliser producer
The Government of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela took over fertiliser producer Fertilizantes Nitrogenados de Oriente (FertiNitro). FertiNitro, which operates one of the world's largest nitrogen-based fertiliser plants, is part-owned [...]
Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of
14 May 2010Nationalizes food company
The President ordered the taking over of the Venezuelan assets of Mexican company Gruma, increasing State control over the distribution and production of basic goods and in an attempt to alleviate food shortages and inflation. [...]
Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of
10 Mar 2010Takeover thermo generator
The President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela has approved US $50 million to nationalize thermo generator Turboven. The United States power company PSEG holds a 50 percent stake in the power producer, which operates gas-fired [...]
Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of
08 Jan 2010Supermarket takeover
On 17 January 2010, the President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela ordered the expropriation of Éxito, a Colombian-French supermarket chain. Éxito, which opened in Venezuela in 2001, had already passed under temporary Government [...]
Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of
01 Jan 2010Nationalizes agricultural company
The Government of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela decreed the expropriation of land belonging to the Spanish-Venezuelan agricultural company Agroislena. In his comments, the President said Agroislena was selling products at inflated [...]
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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
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