Legality of Investment Incentives. Legal Framework related to Incentives

Academic Paper from the year 2023 in the subject Business economics - Law, grade: A, INES Ruhengeri Institute of Applied Science, language: English, abstract: This study examines whether or not investment incentives are lawful under international law. In contrast with the mainstream literature, this study asserts that investment incentives are neither always efficient nor lawful. The study indicates that the legality of investment incentives depends on how they are used. They will be lawful if they comply with the principle of national treatment and MFN treatment; and will be unlawful if they violate those principles, especially if they benefit domestic investors over foreign investors or if they benefit investors of some countries over investors of other countries. Furthermore, performance requirements may be a test for the legality of investment incentives as host states are not free to impose any kind of performance requirements to the investors, as a condition to accord them incentives. Countries that are members of WTO are not allowed to use performance requirements which are prohibited by TRIMs Agreement like local content requirements, trade balancing requirements and export control requirements.