 |
 |
Dear Members of UNCTAD's World Investment Network, It is my pleasure to share with you UNCTAD's latest Investment Policy Monitor, released today. The Monitor reveals the most recent investment policy trends, and calls for proactive and effective investment policy measures. UNCTAD Investment Policy Monitor shows an ongoing trend of liberalizing and facilitating foreign investment. At the same time, the rebalancing of rights and obligations of private investors vis-à-vis the State continues. This development manifests itself in stronger regulation of various industries, and an increase in State ownership and control in areas of strategic importance. UNCTAD Investment Policy Monitor is a quarterly publication that provides the international investment community with country-specific, up-to-date information about the latest developments in foreign investment policies, both at the national and international level. During the period under review in this Monitor (1 October 2010–15 January 2011), at least 27 countries introduced new national investment policy measures. At the international level, 58 economies concluded 32 new international investment agreements (IIAs), including 23 double taxation treaties, five bilateral investment treaties and four other IIAs. Proactive and effective investment policymaking is increasingly important in light of today’s global investment trends. While industrial production and trade have recovered to the pre-crisis levels, foreign investment and employment are lagging behind. Policymakers need to identify means of encouraging private investment so as to sustain economic recovery in the years to come. Best regards, James Zhan Director Division on Investment and Enterprise UNCTAD wir