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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