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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- Qatar - New law regulating foreign investment allows up to 100 percent foreign ownership
Qatar
New law regulating foreign investment allows up to 100 percent foreign ownership
07 Jan 2019On 7 January 2019, Law No.1 of 2019 regulating the investment of non-Qatari capital in economic activity became effective, repealing Law No. 13 of 2000. Key aspects of the new law, among others, are the following: • Foreign ownership up to 100 percent is permitted in all economic sectors subject to specific legislation regarding commercial activities carried out by Non-Qataris and as determined by the executive regulations of the New Law. • Certain activities remain excluded - namely banking and insurance (unless exempted by a Council of Ministers’ decision), commercial agencies and other sectors as decided by the Council of Ministers. • Foreign ownership limits in listed companies on Qatar Exchange have been increased to a maximum of 49 percent, subject to the approval of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. This percentage can be further increased subject to approval by the Council of Ministers upon recommendation of the Minister of Commerce and Industry. • Most of the incentives previously granted under the Repealed Law remain the same, with a few changes. • Except for labor disputes, foreign investors have the right to refer their disputes to international arbitration or alternative dispute resolution processes.
The new law does not apply to the following entities: 1) companies and individuals who are assigned to extract or manage natural resources under concession or special contract, to the extent the provisions of such contract do not contradict the provisions of the new law; 2) companies set up by the Government and public institutions or in which they participate and companies in which the Government participates in partnership with foreign investors in a percentage of no less than 51 percent in accordance with the Commercial Companies Law; and 3) corporate or natural persons licensed by Qatar Petroleum to carry out any petroleum activities or which aim to invest in the oil and gas and petrochemical sector.
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Type:
- Entry and establishment (Ownership and control)
- Promotion and facilitation (Investment incentives)
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Industry:
- Not industry specific
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Sources:
- Eversheds Sutherland, The Foreign Investment Law: the first law in Qatar in 2019, https://www.eversheds-sutherland.com/global/en/what/articles/index.page?ArticleID=en/Corporate/The-Foreign-Investment-Law-the-first-law-in-2019, 09 Jan 2019
- Qatar Tribune, MoCI clarifires law regulating investment of non-Qatari capital in economic activity, http://www.qatar-tribune.com/news-details/id/151559, 09 Jan 2019
- Gulf Times, Law regulating investment of non-Qatari capital to facilitate foreign investors’ market access: MoCI, https://www.gulf-times.com/story/618609/Law-regulating-investment-of-non-Qatari-capital-to, 08 Jan 2019
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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.
Share
Latest publications
International investment agreements trends: the increasing dichotomy between new and old treaties
Read more