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Dear Member of the World Investment Network,
It is my pleasure to share with you UNCTAD's twelfth Investment Policy 
Monitor. 
The Monitor finds that twenty five countries took thirty six investment 
policy measures in the review period (November 2013–February 2014). These 
measures show a continued move towards improving entry conditions, 
reducing restrictions and facilitating foreign investment. Among the most 
important policy measures are a liberalization of the oil industry in 
Mexico and the adoption of a new investment law in Mongolia; other 
countries pursue their privatization programs. Vice versa, new investment 
restrictions were adopted mainly in some South American and Asian 
countries. 
Overall, the extractive industry has been among the most active sectors in 
terms of investment policy developments in recent years. 
Regarding international investment policies, the Monitor finds that ten 
economies concluded six new international investment agreements (IIAs), 
that is five bilateral investment treaties (BITs) and one "other IIA". The 
move towards regional IIAs continues as several such agreements are 
currently being negotiated. There is a slowdown in the conclusion of BITs 
and an increase of treaty making at regional and inter-regional levels. A 
"scaling-up" of IIAs through "mega-regionals" occurs in parallel to 
efforts for change of (or exit from) the regime by some developing 
countries.
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.
Let me also use this opportunity to draw your attention to the forthcoming 
fourth World Investment Forum (WIF), scheduled for 13-16 October 2014 in 
Geneva. The WIF is the pre-eminent platform for high-level and inclusive 
discourse on investment policies for sustainable development, gathering on 
average 2,000 participants from 196 countries and convening the full range 
of investment for development stakeholders. 

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