Joint UNCTAD-OECD Report Analyzes G20 Countries' Investment Policy Measures

The seventh joint report of the UNCTAD-OECD on G20 countries' investment policies was released on May 29. This report is released every seven months and looks at recent policy measures taken by G20 countries to determine possible impacts they may have on the global investment and economic situation. The report was called for during the 2011 Cannes Summit as part of the G20 leaders' commitment to reduce protectionist policies.

Thursday's report finds that despite upheaval in the global economy, foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows rose by 17% in 2011 and are expected to see moderate increases in 2012 as well. Strong increases in FDI continue to be hampered by the continuing fragile state of the global economy. Since October 2011, 13 G20 countries have undertaken policy measures relating to investment, including investment-specific measures, national security measures, and bilateral investment treaties. While a majority of the measures taken since October have aided in opening markets, some also included restrictive measures.

Read the full report