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
32 results
Egypt
03 Jan 2024Grants foreigners right to own land for investment
On 3 January 2024, Egypt's House of Representatives passed a significant amendment to the Desert Land Law, enabling foreigners to own land for investment projects. The amendment explicitly allows foreign investors to acquire land for [...]
Egypt
01 Jan 2024Launched a single window for establishing companies and facilities
The General Authority for Investment and Free Zones (GAFI) launched the electronic service for establishing companies and facilities via GAFI’s electronic portal (www.gafi.gov.eg). Through the portal, an investor can submit the incorporation [...]
Egypt
27 Aug 2023Issues new incentives for strategic industries
On 27 August 2023, the President of Egypt directed the Government to implement a package of incentives, including tax exemptions, to support projects in strategic industries. As per the directives, these projects will be exempted from [...]
Egypt
07 Aug 2023Announces a new single-approval system to facilitate investment
On 7 August 2023, the Egyptian General Authority for Investment and Free Zones (GAFI) announced the creation of a new single-approval system for projects to facilitate investments. The new single-approval is issued within 20 days and [...]
Egypt
25 Jul 2023Introduces further tax incentives for investment
On July 25, 2023, the Parliament unveiled Law No. 160 of 2023 (Law 160) in the Official Gazette. This new legislation introduces significant changes to Investment Law No. 72 of 2017, aimed at enhancing the incentives offered to foreign [...]
Egypt
23 Jul 2023Approves bill eliminating tax exemptions for state-owned entities.
On 11 July 2023, the House of Representatives approved a two-article draft law which eliminates tax exemptions for state-owned entities and affiliated companies. The law's first article states that all tax exemptions granted to administrative [...]
Egypt
17 May 2023Approves draft law to promote green energy
On 17 May 2023, the Egyptian Cabinet approved a draft law to support green hydrogen projects and companies. The law provides incentives for green hydrogen projects and companies involved in its production during the project implementation [...]
Egypt
16 May 2023Approves several investment facilitation and promotion measures
On 16 May 2023, the Supreme Council for Investment approved 22 decisions to give impetus to various economic sectors and fields. The decisions include reducing the cost of establishing companies, simplifying the required approval procedures [...]
Egypt
11 Apr 2023Establishes Supreme Council for Investments
On 11 April 2023, the Government of Egypt published Decree No. 141, which was issued by the President to establish the Supreme Council For Investment. The Council, presided by the President of the Republic, replaces the Investment [...]
Egypt
08 Feb 2023To privatize over 30 State-owned companies
On 8 February 2023, the Prime Minister of Egypt disclosed a list of more than 30 State-owned companies that will either be listed on the EGX or sold to strategic investors within a year - till the first quarter of 2024 - in accordance [...]
Egypt
20 Oct 2022Provides new investment incentives for industrial projects
The Cabinet of Egypt approved on 20 October 2022 a law which provides investment incentives for industrial projects. The law, which comes as an amendment to the Investment Law, stipulates that investment projects in key industries [...]
Egypt
21 Aug 2022Reforms the free zones regime
On 21 August 2022, the Prime Minister issued General Authority for Investment Decree No. 159 for the year 2022, which provides the following, among others: Allowing free zone projects to sell up to 50% of their products in the local [...]
Egypt
21 Aug 2022Streamlines business procedures in the free zones
The Authority for Investment and Free Zones issued a decree on August 21, 2022, which shortens the time required for ratifying the minutes of ordinary and extraordinary general assemblies and boards of directors. According to the new [...]
Egypt
28 Jun 2022Simplified project approvals via the "golden license"
On June 28, 2022, the Prime Minister issued Decree No. 230 of 2022, which amends Article No. 43 of the executive regulations of the Investment Law. The purpose of this amendment is to simplify the process for obtaining a single approval, [...]
Egypt
15 Apr 2022New decrees issued to incentivize green hydrogen and ammonia projects through the Investment Law
On 15 April 2022, the Cabinet of Egypt issued three decrees which enable green hydrogen and ammonia projects to benefit from promotional measures. Cabinet Decree No. 20 of 2022 provides that GAFI must coordinate with the relevant ministries [...]
Egypt
14 Mar 2022Decree on establishment and operation of new investment projects
On 14 March 2022, the Prime Minister of Egypt issued Decree No. 982 of 2022, which provides that the competent authorities receiving applications of investors to issue the approvals, permits, or licenses necessary for the establishment [...]
Egypt
07 Nov 2019Decree on a New Investment Data Reporting Requirement issued
The Prime Minister recently issued Decree no. 2731 for 2019, amending the Executive Regulations of the Investment Law no. 72 for 2017. The Decree is effective as of 7 November 2019. According to the Decree, all companies incorporated [...]
Egypt
06 Jul 2019Adoption of new foreign investment rules
On 6 July 2019, the Parliament approved three amendments to the 2017 Investment Law (no. 72), including a revision to the way in which FDI inflows are accounted for. A change in the FDI accounting system entails shifting responsibility [...]
Egypt
06 Mar 2019Cabinet approves changes to investment law
On 6 March 2019, the cabinet approved two amendments to the investment law aimed at encouraging expansions of existing investments and clarifying the system for certifying contracts of association. In the original law, investment [...]
Egypt
23 Dec 2018Limited Liability Companies no longer restricted by the nationality of the manager
Decree No. 256 of 23 December 2018 (which amends Article 281 of the executive resolution of the Companies’ Law No. 159 for year 1981) relieves limited liability companies in Egypt form the requirement to appoint Egyptian managers. [...]
Egypt
05 Sep 2017Executive Regulations for Industrial Permits Act issued
The executive regulations bring into force Law 15 (2017) on industrial licensing, which was approved by the parliament in May 2017. The law enhances the role of the Industrial Development Organisation, which will henceforth be the [...]
Egypt
07 Aug 2017New law to end state monopoly of natural gas market
The President signed the new Gas Market Activities' Regulatory Law, which provides for the setting up of a natural gas regulatory authority charged with licensing and devising a plan to open the gas market to competition. The new law [...]
Egypt
24 Jul 2017Presidential decree establishing Golden Triangle Economic Zone
On 24 July 2017, the President issued a decree establishing the Golden Triangle Economic Zone. The decree considers the Golden Triangle as an economic zone of special nature. With a 2,228,754.25-feddan, the economic zone will cover [...]
Egypt
01 Jun 2017Investment law has been adopted
On 1 June 2017, the new Investment Law entered into force, which governs investment within Egypt. It aims to promote investment by offering further incentives, reducing bureaucracy, and simplifying and enhancing administrative processes. [...]
Egypt
08 May 2017Industrial Permits Act approved
The President approved the Industrial Permits Act that aims at easing measures for obtaining licenses for industrial establishments. [...]
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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.
Share
Latest publications
