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Dear Member of the World Investment Network,
It is my pleasure to share with you UNCTAD's eleventh Investment Policy 
Monitor.
The new Monitor finds that from January to October 2013, the overall share 
of more restrictive or regulatory investment policies continued to 
increase. However, looking only at the developments in the last couple of 
months (review period June–October 2013), countries in their majority 
sought to attract more FDI through improving entry conditions, the 
treatment of established investors and investment promotion and 
facilitation. More countries also seek to retain foreign investors or 
promote repatriation by domestic investors. In total, 25 countries took 35 
policy measures in relation to foreign investment in the review period. 
An interesting recent phenomenon relating to investment promotion has to 
do with government efforts to retain investment in the host country. In 
light of economic crisis and persistently high domestic unemployment, a 
number of countries no longer only seek to promote inward FDI, but are 
also keen that existing investments (and related jobs) do not move away. 
In addition, some governments have started to induce domestic investors to 
repatriate their investment abroad. 
As far as international investment policies are concerned, seventeen 
economies concluded eight new IIAs, that is four BITs and four "other 
IIAs". The move towards regional IIAs continues as several such agreements 
entered into force, were successfully concluded or are currently 
negotiated. There are four ongoing negotiations involving two regional 
blocks (EU and ASEAN) and together with their partners, a total of 49 
economies. The conclusion of negotiations on the EU-Canada CETA creates 
further momentum for other inter-regional initiatives and other key 
negotiations.
UNCTAD's Investment Policy Monitor is a regular publication that provides 
the international investment community with country-specific, up-to-date 
information about the latest development in foreign investment policies, 
both at the national and international level.
I hope that you find our Investment policy Monitor useful and interesting 
- please feel free to also share it with your colleagues! 
With kind regards,

James X, Zhan
Director
Investment & Enterprise Division
United Nations Conference on Trade & Development
Palais des Nations, Geneva
Tel: + 41 22 917 57 97