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Foreign direct investment reviews 2023: A global perspective

What's inside

A guide to navigating the rules for investing in countries that require foreign direct investment approval.

Introduction

Now in its seventh year of annual publication, White & Case's Foreign Direct Investment Reviews provides a comprehensive look into rapidly evolving foreign direct investment (FDI) laws and regulations in approximately 40 national jurisdictions and two regions. This 2023 edition includes more than 15 new jurisdictions in addition to those covered in previous editions and summarizes high-level principles in the European Union and Middle East. Our expansion in coverage reflects the rapid global proliferation of FDI regimes and our market leading position in the field.

FDI regimes are wide-reaching in scope, from national security to public health and safety, law and order, technological superiority, and continuity and integrity of critical supply chains. They are divergent with respect to jurisdictional triggers across countries, and are almost always a black-box process.

The following are some general observations, in large part based on the 2022 CFIUS and EU annual reports:

  • The number of FDI regimes and regulatory enhancements is growing around the world, particularly in Europe. In 2021 and 2022, four EU Member States—Czech Republic, Denmark, Netherlands and Slovakia—implemented new FDI regimes, and in 2023, Sweden and Belgium are slated to adopt FDI screening measures (in addition to non-member Switzerland).
  • FDI regulators, at least from allied nations, are collaborating and learning from each other. CFIUS reported at its first annual conference in 2022 that it continues to host training sessions for US allies so that they can adopt similar regimes.
  • FDI regulators interpret their jurisdiction and authority broadly, especially if they believe it is in the national interest. Many regulators have "call-in," "ex officio," or "non-notified" authority.
  • Despite increased regulation, most cross-border transactions are successfully consummated, although there has been an increase in the number of cases clearing with remedies.
  • The origin of the investor remains a key concern for Western regulators. For example, China and Russia are included more and more in CFIUS's regular Q&A, asking broader and more invasive questions.

Investors conducting cross-border business need to understand FDI restrictions as they are today—and how these laws are evolving over time—to avoid disruption to realizing synergies, achieving technological development and integration, and ultimately securing liquidity.

We would like to extend a special thank-you to all of our external authors, who have provided some insightful commentary on the FDI regimes in a number of important jurisdictions. The names of these individual contributors and their law firms are provided throughout this publication.

We would also like to extend a special thank-you to James Hsiao of our Hong Kong office and Tim Sensenig of our Washington, DC office for their tireless efforts and dedication to the publication of this edition.

Americas

Canada

The Canadian government announced a strict framework to evaluate foreign investments in the critical minerals sector by state-owned enterprises and state-linked private investors, especially if from “non-likeminded” countries.

canada fdi 2022

Mexico

Foreign direct investments, whether undertaken directly or indirectly, are generally allowed without restrictions or without the need to obtain prior authorization from an administrative agency.

mexico fdi 2022

United States

Most deals are approved, but expanded jurisdiction, mandatory filings applying in certain cases, enhanced focus on national security considerations, and a substantially increased pursuit of non-notified transactions have changed the landscape.

United States of America

EMEA

Europe

Driven by the European Commission's guidance, Member States keep expanding their investment screening regimes. A similar trend is observed in Europe at large.

european union fdi 2022

Austria

In Austria, the Austrian Federal Investment Control Act (Investitionskontrollgesetz or the ICA) introduced a new, fully fledged regime for the screening of Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) and came into effect on July 25, 2020. With its wide scope of application and extensive interpretation by the competent authority, the number of screened investments has soared.

austria fdi 2022

Belgium

Belgium implements an FDI screening regime by July 1, 2023.

Belgium

Czech Republic

The new Foreign Investments Screening Act took effect in May 2021, and completed its first full year in operation in 2022.

czech republic fdi 2022

Denmark

The scope of the Danish FDI regime is comprehensive and requires a careful assessment of investments and agreements involving Danish companies.

denmark fdi 2022

Estonia

Estonia will have in place an FDI review regime by September 2023.

estonia fdi 2022

Finland

Deals are generally not blocked in Finland.

10_finland_square_800x800_0.jpg

France

In France, FDI screening authorities have issued new guidelines to improve the transparency of the FDI process.

france fdi 2022

Germany

The Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy continues to tighten FDI control, but the investment climate remains liberal in principle.

germany fdi 2022

Hungary

The need for FDI screening remains in focus for deals with Hungarian dimensions.

hungary fdi 2022

Ireland

Ireland anticipates adopting and implementing an FDI screening regime by Q1 2023.

ireland fdi 2022

Italy

Italian "Golden Power Law:" Ten years old and continuously expanding its reach.

Italy

Republic of Latvia

The Russian Federation's invasion of Ukraine has precipitated the inclusion of provisions blocking Russian and Belarussian nationals from direct investment in a number of sectors.

Latvia

Lithuania

All investments concerning national security are under the scope of review.

Lithuania

Luxembourg

Luxembourg has introduced a bill of law to regulate foreign direct investments. The law is currently being discussed before the Luxembourg Parliament.

Luxembourg

Malta

Malta's recently introduced FDI regime captures a substantial number of transactions that must be notified to the authorities and, in some cases, will be subject to screening.

Malta

Middle East

The Middle East continues opening to foreign investment, subject to licensing approvals and ownership thresholds for certain business sectors or in certain geographical zones.

Middle East

Netherlands

The Netherlands prepares for its first effective year of new FDI regulation.

Netherlands

Norway

Changes in the geopolitical situation have resulted in increased awareness of security threats caused by strategic acquisitions and access to sensitive technology. The ongoing review of the FDI regulations in Norway is expected to result in more effective mechanisms to identify and deal with security threats in transactions and investors should be prepared to take this into account when planning future investments in Norwegian companies that engage in sensitive activities.

Norway

Poland

The Polish FDI regime governing the acquisitions of covered entities by non-EEA and non-OECD buyers has been extended until July 2025.

Poland

Portugal

Transactions involving foreign natural or legal persons that allow direct or indirect control over strategic assets may be subject to FDI screening.

Portugal

Romania

The Romanian regime regarding foreign direct investment has undergone a major change in 2022, when new legislation was enacted, and is aimed at implementing relevant European Union legislation.

Romania

Russian Federation

The Federal Antimonopoly Service (FAS) tends to impose increased scrutiny in the sphere of foreign investments and has developed a number of amendments to the foreign investments laws that are aimed at eliminating legislative gaps in this sphere.

Russian Federation

Slovakia

On November 29, 2022, Slovakia, for the first time, adopted full-fledged foreign direct investment legislation. This legislation is effective as of March 1, 2023.

Slovakia

Slovenia

Since May 31, 2020, certain foreign investments into Slovenian companies can be subject to review. Acquisition of real estate related to critical infrastructure may also be subject to review.

Slovenia

Spain

The restrictions imposed by the Spanish government on foreign direct investments during the COVID-19 outbreak have remained after the pandemic.

Spain

Sweden

Other than security-related screening, Sweden is currently still without a general FDI screening mechanism.

Sweden

Switzerland

Historically, Switzerland has been very liberal regarding foreign investments. However, there has recently been increased political pressure to create a more structured legal regime for foreign investment.

Switzerland

Türkiye

Making Türkiye an attractive investment destination continues to be a priority for the government.

Turkiye

United Arab Emirates

Foreign direct investment is permissible in the UAE, subject to applicable licensing and ownership conditions.

UAE

United Kingdom

The UK’s National Security & Investment Act has now been in place for a year and has already made its mark, prohibiting deals on national security grounds and also requiring remedies in cases that are not subject to the mandatory notification requirement.  We expect a continued tough approach over the next year as global geo-political tensions bring national security concerns to the fore.

UK

Asia-Pacific

Australia

Australia requires a wide variety of investments by foreign investors to be reviewed and approved before completion of the investment.

Australia

China

China has further developed its national security regulatory regime by promulgating measures on cybersecurity review and security assessment of cross-border data transfer.

China

India

India continues to be an attractive destination for foreign investment, ranking as the world's seventh-largest recipient of FDI in 2021.

India

Japan

The Japanese government continues to review filings and refine its approach under the FDI regime following the 2019 amendments.

Japan

Korea

Korea is increasing the level of scrutiny of foreign investments due to growing concerns over the transfer of sensitive technologies.

Korea

New Zealand

Recent legislative reforms have increased the New Zealand government's ability to take national interest considerations into account, but have also looked to exclude lower-risk transactions from consent requirements.

New Zealand

Taiwan

All FDIs are subject to prior approval, but the investment climate is welcoming and liberal.

Taiwan
Korea

Foreign direct investment reviews 2023: Korea

Korea is increasing the level of scrutiny of foreign investments due to growing concerns over the transfer of sensitive technologies.

Insight
|
7 min read

Hyeonmin Kim and June Kyu Shin (Kim & Chang) authored this publication

All foreign direct investments are subject to either the Foreign Investment Promotion Law (FIPL) or Foreign Exchange Transaction Law (FETL). If a foreign direct investment meets certain conditions and is made pursuant to the FIPL, then such investment is not subject to restrictions under the FETL. The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE) is the main government department responsible for the administration of foreign direct investments (FDI).

The Act on Prevention of Divulgence and Protection of Industrial Technology (ITPA) governs the transfer of National Core Technologies (NCT) to foreign companies as well as foreign acquisitions of domestic companies that hold National Core Technologies. MOTIE is the main government department responsible for administration of foreign acquisition of NCT.

Further, MOTIE enacted and put into effect the Regulations on Operation of Security Review Procedures for Foreign Investment, which additionally provide that when a foreign investor files a report for a foreign investment or application for approval, the investor must indicate whether it is acquiring de facto control of the company and whether the transaction results in one of the cases below.

  • There are concerns that production of defense materials may be hindered
  • It is highly likely that goods will be subject to export approvals or licenses, or technologies will be diverted for military purposes
  • There are concerns regarding public disclosure of state secrets
  • There are concerns that international efforts by the United Nations or other organizations to maintain international peace and security may be severely and substantially hindered or
  • It is highly likely that National Core Technology will be divulged

If the foreign investment is subject to security review on the face of the report/application, then the certificate of report on foreign investment will be withheld and foreign investment security review must commence.

Recent updates 

MOTIE enacted and put into effect the Regulations on Operation of Security Review Procedures for Foreign Investment, which additionally provide that when a foreign investor files a report for foreign investment or application for approval, the investor must indicate whether it is acquiring de facto control of the company and whether the transaction results in one of the cases below.

  • There are concerns that production of defense materials may be hindered
  • It is highly likely that goods will be subject to export approvals or licenses, or technologies will be diverted for military purposes
  • There are concerns regarding public disclosure of state secrets
  • There are concerns that international efforts by the United Nations or other organizations to maintain international peace and security may be severely and substantially hindered or
  • It is highly likely that national core technology will be divulged

If the foreign investment is subject to security review on the face of the report/application, then the certificate of report on foreign investment will be withheld and foreign investment security review must commence.

Types of deals reviewed 

The criteria for review are broad, and all aspects of each application are considered part of the review

All foreign direct investment that qualifies as a "foreign investment" as stipulated under the FIPL is subject to filing a report under the FIPL.

Generally, a foreign direct investment is subject to a Foreign Investment Report (FIPL Report) to a "designated Foreign Exchange Bank." If a foreigner intends to make a foreign investment in a defense industry company as designated by the Minister of MOTIE pursuant to the Defense Acquisition Program Act, then the foreigner needs to obtain Foreign Investment Approval (FIPL Approval) from MOTIE.

Foreign investments into an institution possessing industrial technology and NCT developed without government subsidies are subject to a report to MOTIE (ITPA Report) before such transaction can proceed. Foreign investments into an institution possessing industrial technology and NCT developed with government subsidies for research and development are subject to approval from MOTIE.

Scope of the review

FIPL report

For the FIPL Report, the designated foreign exchange bank will accept the filing when all information and underlying documents are provided.

FIPL approval

For FIPL Approval, the key question considered is whether the transaction poses a risk to national security. More specifically:

  • Whether defense acquisition would be affected and
  • Whether there is risk of technology being leaked which could present a risk to the economy or national defense

In case of an FIPL Approval, MOTIE shall consult with the Ministry of National Defense (in practice, the Defense Acquisition Program Administration, or DAPA) on whether to approve the application. The Ministry of National Defense shall consent to granting approval if it deems that the relevant defense materials produced by a defense industry company are replaceable by products of other domestic companies, or that granting permission will not significantly affect national security.

In the event the foreign transaction at issue is determined to pose a serious risk to national security, MOTIE may order various measures to address the risk, such as an order to suspend, prohibit or even unwind a transaction.

TPA report/ITPA approval

For the ITPA Report and ITPA Approval, the key question is similar—whether the transaction poses a risk to national security. In the event the foreign transaction at issue is determined to pose a serious risk to national security, MOTIE may order various measures to address the risk, such as an order to suspend, prohibit or even unwind a transaction.

Review process timeline

The FIPL Report is routinely granted within one or two business days unless the industry sector in which the Korean company receiving the investment operates is subject to other restrictions.

In case of application for FIPL Approval by MOTIE, MOTIE has 15 calendar days (with an option to extend the review by up to 15 calendar days) to notify the foreign investor whether MOTIE approves the transaction. MOTIE generally observes the review periods as stipulated under the FIPL.

In case of application for an ITPA Report, MOTIE has 15 calendar days to notify the institution and foreign investor whether MOTIE approves the transaction, and if MOTIE does not approve the transaction, it has 30 calendar days from the date of notice to order to suspend, prohibit or even unwind a transaction. Before the submission of a formal application, the foreign investor can informally consult with MOTIE in connection with such application.

In case of application for ITPA Approval, MOTIE has 45 calendar days to notify the institution and foreign investor whether MOTIE approves the transaction.

However, the above review periods does not include: (i) the period necessary for the authority to examine the relevant technology (which can take several weeks or months) and (ii) the period that the foreign investor takes to respond to potential requests for information issued by MOTIE (i.e., requests for information stop the review clock until a response is submitted that is deemed sufficient by MOTIE). For more accurate estimates of review periods, before the submission of formal application, the foreign investor can informally consult with MOTIE in connection with such an application. It is common for ITPA report/approval processes to take much longer than 15 to 30 calendar days due to the technology examination process. Generally, an ITPA Report takes one to three months, while ITPA Approval may take up to six months.

How foreign investors can protect themselves

There is no publicly available list of a "Defense Industry Company" currently designated by the Minister of MOTIE, or companies that hold NCT. Therefore, it is advisable to ask the target company whether it is designated as a Defense Industry Company or whether the target company holds NCT.

Furthermore, it is common for either the target company or foreign investor to contact MOTIE before filing an ITPA Report/Approval application or FIPL Approval application to confirm the details required for such application.

Looking ahead

Korea continues to maintain a relatively liberalized approach to regulating foreign direct investment that does not involve defense industries or technologies that Korea deems to be a "National Core Technology."

However, due to growing concerns of leakage of sensitive technologies that are deemed crucial to national defense (including National Core Technology), Korea recently has introduced regulations that provide for more stringent review of foreign investment to target companies that are related to national defense or National Core Technologies.

Therefore, it is advisable that prospective foreign investors pay more attention to additional developments in foreign investment regulations in Korea. Furthermore, as target companies may be related to national defense or hold designated National Core Technologies, it is advisable for prospective foreign investors to inquire with the target company whether it is related to national defense or whether it holds designated National Core Technology before making such investments.

White & Case means the international legal practice comprising White & Case LLP, a New York State registered limited liability partnership, White & Case LLP, a limited liability partnership incorporated under English law and all other affiliated partnerships, companies and entities.

This article is prepared for the general information of interested persons. It is not, and does not attempt to be, comprehensive in nature. Due to the general nature of its content, it should not be regarded as legal advice.

© 2023 White & Case LLP

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