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
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European Union
25 Mar 2025Streamlines permitting and enhances access to finance for 47 Strategic Projects under the Critical Raw Materials Act
On 25 March 2025, the European Commission designated 47 Strategic Projects under the Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA). These projects, located across 13 EU Member States, are a core component of the European Union's strategy to mitigate [...]
European Union
05 Mar 2025Launches Action Plan to support the net-zero transition of the automotive industry
On 5 March 2025, the European Commission adopted the Industrial Action Plan for the European Automotive Sector to strengthen the competitiveness and resilience of the European Union automotive industry and support its transition to [...]
European Union
26 Feb 2025Launches Clean Industrial Deal to mobilise €100 billion in investments in decarbonisation
On 26 February 2025, the European Union launched the Clean Industrial Deal, a scheme aiming to mobilise €100 billion in investments in decarbonisation. The Clean Industrial Deal sets out measures to reduce emissions and energy [...]
European Union
15 Jan 2025Calls for tightened oversight of outbound investments in critical technology sectors
On 15 January 2025, the European Union adopted Recommendation (EU) 2025/63, urging member States to review outbound investments in critical technology sectors, including semiconductors, artificial intelligence (AI), and quantum technologies. [...]
European Union
16 Dec 2024Adopts the fifteenth sanction package against the Russian Federation
On 16 December 2024, the European Union adopted its 15th sanctions package against the Russian Federation. Key measures include actions to prevent circumvention of the oil price cap, such as imposing port access bans and service restrictions [...]
European Union
29 Jun 2024Amends its sanction package against Belarus
On 29 June 2024, the European Union amended its sanctions package against Belarus, revising the provisions of Council Regulation (EU) No. 765/2006. The new package prohibits any new investments, financing, joint ventures, or investment [...]
European Union
24 Jun 2024Adopts the fourteenth sanctions package against the Russian Federation
On 24 June 2024, the European Union adopted its fourteenth sanctions package against the Russian Federation. This package introduces measures targeting the Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) sector, strengthens anti-circumvention [...]
European Union
19 Jun 2024Adopt stricter rules for non-European Union banks
On 19 June 2024, amendments to the Capital Requirements Directive No.2013/36 (CRD VI) were published in the Official Journal of the European Union and entered into force in July 2024. The CRD implementation provisions introduce new [...]
European Union
31 May 2024Replaces its legal framework on anti-money laundering and terrorist financing
On 31 May 2024, the European Union adopted Regulation 2024/1624 on the prevention of the use of the financial system for the purposes of money laundering or terrorist financing (AMLR), replacing the Anti-Money Laundering Directive [...]
European Union
24 Feb 2024Adopts the thirteenth package of sanctions against the Russian Federation
On 23 February 2024, the European Union introduced its 13th package of sanctions against the Russian Federation. It further extended its trade sanctions and added 194 individuals and entities to the sanction list, subjecting them to [...]
European Union
24 Jan 2024Proposes new initiatives on inward and outward FDI screening
On 24 January 2024, the European Commission unveiled several initiatives aimed at strengthening the economic security of the European Union (EU). Among these, two initiatives concern specifically inward and outward FDI. A new proposed [...]
European Union
27 Dec 2023Adopts Anti-Coercion Instrument
On 27 December 2023, the Regulation 2023/2675 on the protection of the European Union and its Member States from economic coercion by third countries (the Anti-Coercion Instrument) came into force. The regulation aims to deter, and [...]
European Union
19 Dec 2023Adopts the twelfth package of sanctions against the Russian Federation
On 18 December 2023, the European Union adopted the twelfth sanctions package against the Russian Federation. The new restrictions include additional measures such as asset freezes on economic entities across a range of industrial [...]
European Union
03 Oct 2023Issues a list of ten critical technology areas vital for its economic security
On October 3, the European Commission issued a list of ten critical technology areas vital for the European Union's economic security. Among these, advanced semiconductors, AI, quantum technologies, and biotechnologies are considered [...]
European Union
31 Jul 2023Adopts the European Sustainability Reporting Standards
On 31 July 2023, the European Commission adopted the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS), aligning with the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD). The CSRD mandates companies to employ these standards for [...]
European Union
09 Mar 2023Adopts the framework to enable State aid for net-zero transition
On 9 March 2023, the European Union adopted the Temporary Crisis and Transition Framework (TCTF) to accelerate support for net-zero transition sectors in alignment with the Green Deal Industrial Plan. This framework expands and revises [...]
European Union
25 Feb 2023Adopts the tenth package of sanctions against the Russian Federation
On 25 February 2023, the European Union adopted the tenth package of sanctions against the Russian Federation. It includes the following measures: - Additional financial sanctions on 87 individuals and 34 entities, including Alfa-Bank [...]
European Union
12 Jan 2023Introduces a new notification system for M&As involving parties that have received subsidies from a third country
On 23 December 2022, the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union passed Regulation (EU) 2022/2560 on foreign subsidies distorting the internal market, which includes a new notification system for mergers and acquisitions [...]
European Union
16 Dec 2022Adopts the ninth package of sanctions against the Russian Federation
On 16 December 2022, the European Union adopted the ninth package of sanctions against the Russian Federation. Among other sanction measures, it prohibits new investments in the mining sector, with the exception of mining and quarrying [...]
European Union
06 Oct 2022Introduces the eighth package of sanctions against the Russian Federation
On 6 October 2022, the European Union (EU) adopted the eighth package of sanctions against the Russian Federation. The new sanction package comprises the following: - a price cap related to the maritime transport of oil or petroleum [...]
European Union
21 Jul 2022Adopts the seventh package of sanctions against the Russian Federation
On 21 July 2022, the Council of the European Union expanded the scope of its sanctions against the Russian Federation. The new sanctions include: - A gold import ban that includes a prohibition to purchase, import or transfer gold [...]
European Union
03 Jun 2022Adopts sixth package of sanctions against the Russian Federation
On 3 June 2022, the European Union adopted the sixth package of sanctions against the Russian Federation. The restrictive measures in energy sector include: - Prohibiting the purchase, import or transfer of crude oil and certain [...]
European Union
08 Apr 2022Adopts a fifth package of sanctions against the Russian Federation
On 8 April 2022, the European Union adopted a fifth package of sanctions. Among others, Council Regulation 2022/576 comprises the following measures: - Import ban on coal, wood, rubber, cement, fertilisers, caviar, vodka and other [...]
European Union
06 Apr 2022Adopts the guidance on foreign direct investments from Russia and Belarus
On 6 April 2022, the European Commission adopted the “Guidance to the Member States concerning foreign direct investment from Russia and Belarus in view of the military aggression against Ukraine and the restrictive measures laid down [...]
European Union
15 Mar 2022Imposes restrictions on investment in the Russian energy sector
On 15 March 2022, the EU adopted Regulation 2022/428 to impose additional restrictive measures in response to the war in Ukraine. The Regulation restricts any new investments in the Russian energy sector and imposes additional export [...]
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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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