Investment Policy Monitor
-
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
- Home >
- Investment Policy Monitor >
- United Arab Emirates - The "Positive List" has been officially published
United Arab Emirates
The "Positive List" has been officially published
31 Mar 2020On 17 March 2020, the UAE issued Cabinet Resolution No.(16) of 2020, setting out the 'Positive List of Economic Sectors and Activities in which Foreign Direct Investment is Permitted.' It became effective on 31 March 2020.
122 economic activities are specified in the "Positive List, including activities in the following sectors: agriculture; manufacturing; transport and storage; hospitality and food services; information and communications; science and technology; healthcare; education; art and entertainment; and construction. The "Positive List" Resolution also provides, on a case by case basis, minimum share capital requirements to be met by companies that are or become fully owned by Foreign Investors and are licensed to carry on activities contained in the "Positive List". The List also imposes other requirements that will need to be satisfied by Foreign Investors in relation to certain activities.
-
Type:
- Entry and establishment (Ownership and control)
-
Industry:
- Primary (Agriculture, forestry and fishing)
- Manufacturing
- Services (Construction, Transportation and storage, Accommodation and food service activities, Telecommunications, Scientific research and development, Education, Human health activities, Arts, entertainment and recreation)
-
Sources:
- Ministry of Economy, Cabinet Resolution No. 16 of 2020 , https://www.economy.gov.ae/Documents/Cabinet%20Resolution%2016%20Concerning%20the%20Determination%20of%20the%20Positive%20List.pdf, 31 Mar 2020
- Clyde & Co, UAE FDI Law: Positive List, https://www.clydeco.com/insight/article/uae-fdi-law-positive-list, 13 Apr 2020
-
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.