Dear Members of the World Investment Network,
UNCTAD has just released the latest issue of its Investment
Policy Monitor.
The Monitor finds that 33 countries/economies took 45 investment policy
measures in the review period (March - December 2014). The share of liberalization
and promotion measures reached 82% – slightly above the average of recent
years. These policies were adopted in important sectors and industries,
including air transportation, national defense, railway infrastructure,
pharmaceuticals, power plants and telecommunication. Despite these numerous
measures aimed at improving investment conditions, there are also new concerns
about the role of foreign investors in host countries. New investment restrictions
for foreign investment mainly related to oil production, data communication
and media companies.
A recent UNCTAD survey shows that countries increasingly pay attention
to sustainable development in their national investment policies. However,
the share of such measures among all investment-related policy changes
is still low (approximately 8%). More can be done in investment policies
to enhance the contribution of foreign investment to the sustainable development
goals.
Regarding international investment policies, the Monitor finds that 51
economies concluded 26 new international investment agreements (IIAs).
These include 14 bilateral investment treaties (BITs) and 12 "other
IIAs." Negotiations for one megaregional agreement (CETA) were concluded,
and negotiations for six others continue.
UNCTAD Investment Policy Monitor, together with its Global Investment Trends
Monitor, is a regular online policy brief 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 levels.
James Zhan
Director
Investment & Enterprise
United Nations Conference on Trade & Development
