Such policies include facilitation and retention of investment, providing incentives, financial support to crisis-affected companies, supporting local small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in supply chains, as well as protecting national security and public health through foreign investment screening.

The monitor documents and analyses how investment policies are responding to the crisis and are expected to slash global foreign direct investment (FDI) flows by up to 40% during 2020-2021, according to the most recent UNCTAD Global Investment Trends Monitor. It shows that the global spread of COVID-19 is also impacting the negotiation of international investment agreements (IIAs).

UNCTAD Secretary General Mukhisa Kituyi said national and international investment policies can and should contribute to mitigating the devastating economic and social effects of the pandemic. Above all, they should incentivize production of medical equipment and drugs, facilitate administrative procedures, provide equity capital to struggling companies, and ensure that foreign takeovers are not contrary to the national public interest.