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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- Brazil - Launches the Brazilian Artificial Intelligence Plan 2024-2028
Brazil
Launches the Brazilian Artificial Intelligence Plan 2024-2028
30 Jul 2024On 30 July 2024, the ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation of Brazil launched the Brazilian Artificial Intelligence Plan (PBIA) 2024-2028, during the 5th National Conference on Science, Technology and Innovation. Titled "AI for the Good of All", this comprehensive strategy aims to position Brazil as a global leader in artificial intelligence (AI) by promoting sustainable and socially-oriented technologies across various sectors. The plan is structured around five strategic axes: 1. AI Infrastructure and Development: Investing in high-performance computing resources and data centers to support AI research and applications. 2. Diffusion, Training, and Capacity Building in AI: Implementing initiatives to educate and train professionals in AI, with an emphasis on inclusivity and diversity. 3. AI for Improving Public Services: Applying AI solutions to enhance the efficiency and quality of public services in areas such as health, education, and public security. 4. AI for Business Innovation: Encouraging the adoption of AI by businesses to drive innovation and competitiveness. 5. Support for the Regulatory and Governance Process of AI: Establishing frameworks to ensure the ethical and responsible use of AI, including the creation of a National Center for Algorithmic Transparency and Trustworthy AI.
The plan allocates 23.03 billion reais (approximately $4 billion), which will be distributed over a four-year period from 2024 to 2028. Key allocations include:
Nearly 14 billion reais for business projects, including support for the development of the artificial intelligence (AI) value chain, the establishment of national data centres, and assistance for start-ups and micro-, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs). The funding also includes support for AI-driven projects aimed at upgrading Brazilian industry.
More than 5 billion reais for AI infrastructure and development, including support for the implementation of sustainable and efficient energy infrastructure for data centres and AI installations. This funding will support 42 projects over four years, with a total allocation of 500 million reais.
The remaining funds will be allocated to training initiatives, public service improvements and AI regulation measures.
Nature of measure:
- Promotion
- Incentives
Type:
- Promotion and facilitation (Investment facilitation , Investment incentives)
Industry:
- Services (Computer programming, consultancy and related activities, Scientific research and development)
Inward FDI:
NoOutward FDI:
NoSources:
- Ministério da Ciência, Tecnologia e Inovações, Plano Brasileiro de Inteligência Artificial (PBIA) 2024-2028, https://www.gov.br/lncc/pt-br/assuntos/noticias/ultimas-noticias-1/plano-brasileiro-de-inteligencia-artificial-pbia-2024-2028, 07 Aug 2024
- Ministério da Ciência, Tecnologia e Inovações, Plano Brasileiro de Inteligência Artificial (PBIA) 2024-2028, https://www.gov.br/mcti/pt-br/acompanhe-o-mcti/noticias/2024/07/plano-brasileiro-de-ia-tera-supercomputador-e-investimento-de-r-23-bilhoes-em-quatro-anos/ia_para_o_bem_de_todos.pdf/@@download/file, 07 Jul 2024
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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
